Former Anambra State Governor Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife is dead. He died at the age of 85.
The elder statesman, according to an e-signed statement by his younger brother, Chief Rob Nwakaire Ezeife (Ahaejiejemba Igbo-Ukwu), on behalf of the Ezeife Dynasty of Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State, said he died at about 6pm at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, on Thursday.
The statement by the family read: “I wish to announce the promotion to glory of our most distinguished son, Okwadike, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife,CON, a former Federal Permanent Secretary, the first Executive Governor of Anambra State, a former Political Adviser to the President and former Presidential Aspirant.
“This sad event took place yesterday at 6pm at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja. More details about the deceased and the arrangements for his State Burial will be announced later.”
Born on November 20, 1938, Dr Ezeife was former federal Permanent Secretary and was elected the Executive Governor of Anambra State on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the aborted Third Republic. He served from January 1992 to November 1993.
He joined the late Chief Mbazulike Amaechi in a delegation to then President Muhammadu Buhari to seek the release of leader of the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
A political actor of the progressive hue, Ezeife was a Presidential aspirant and also Political Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo.
An authentic Igbo leader and Nigerian patriot, Ezeife could be described as one of the Last of the Titans.
He was until his death, the Chairman of Igbo Elders Consultative Forum (IECF) and played prominent role in organising Igbo Consultative Assembly (ICF), a body of Igbo leaders and groups in the 19 Northern States. He was also prominent in the affairs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.