Former House of Reps Speaker Agunwa Anakwe Dies at 68

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Agunwa Anakwe, has passed away. He died on Saturday after reportedly battling an undisclosed illness.

His death was confirmed by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, during a phone conversation on Monday.

Anakwe, a native of Anambra State, served as Speaker of the Third Republic House of Representatives in 1992 during the short-lived interim civilian administration of Chief Ernest Shonekan. He was just 36 years old at the time.

His tenure was cut short on November 17, 1993, when the military, under General Sani Abacha, overthrew the Shonekan-led government.

During his time in office, Anakwe was widely respected for his firm opposition to the proposed creation of additional local government areas, which he viewed as a tactic to delay Nigeria’s return to democracy.

Paying tribute, former Anambra State Governor Dr. Chris Ngige described Anakwe as “a close friend and trusted political ally,” who demonstrated “dexterity, wisdom, and patience” in leading the House through a turbulent political era.

“He brought more stability to the House of Representatives than what was obtainable in the Senate at the time, before the military disrupted the transition after the annulment of MKO Abiola’s victory,” Ngige noted.