A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Agunwa Anakwe, is de.ad
Anakwe passed away on Saturday after reportedly battling an undisclosed illness.
His passing was confirmed by Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, in a telephone conversation on Monday.
Anakwe, who hailed from Anambra State, led the third House of Representatives in 1992 under the short-lived interim civilian administration of late Chief Ernest Shonekan.
He was 36 years old at the time but his tenure ended following the military coup that ousted Shonekan by former military dictator, General Sani Abacha on November 17, 1993.
During his time in office, Anakwe was known for his firm stance against the proposed creation of additional local government areas, a move he believed was being used to delay Nigeria’s return to democratic governance.
Former Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige, in a tribute, described Anakwe as “a close friend and trusted political ally,” who displayed “dexterity, wisdom, and patience” in steering the House during a turbulent political period.
“He brought greater stability to the House of Representatives than what we saw in the Senate at the time, before the military struck after the annulment of MKO Abiola’s election victory,” Ngige said.
