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Former House of Reps Speaker dies at age 68
Austin Okoro DDM NEWS
Agunwa Anakwe
Agunwa Anakwe, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives in Nigeria’s Third Republic, has passed away at the age of 68.
He died on Saturday, July 5, 2025, after reportedly battling an undisclosed illness.
Anakwe was a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, serving as the Speaker of the House of Representatives at just 36 years old under the interim civilian government of Ernest Shonekan in 1992.
His tenure was cut short when General Sani Abacha seized power in 1993.
Despite this setback, Anakwe continued to play a significant role in Nigerian politics, advocating for the restoration of democracy.
Former Anambra State Governor and one-time Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, paid tribute to Anakwe, describing him as a close friend and trusted political ally.
Ngige expressed sadness over Anakwe’s demise, highlighting the scarcity of leaders with integrity in Nigerian politics.”His death has left a very big void, difficult to fill because of the dearth of principled, accountable, and truthful persons in the murky, dirty waters of Nigerian politics,” Ngige said .
Although the exact cause of Anakwe’s death is unclear, he had been nursing an undisclosed ailment for some time.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, confirmed Anakwe’s passing on Monday, July 7, 2025 .
Anakwe’s legacy in Nigerian politics is marked by his commitment to progressive politics and his role in the fight for democracy restoration.
His passing has been met with widespread condolences, with many mourning the loss of a principled and accountable leader.
Anakwe, who hailed from Anambra state, led the third House of representatives in 1992.
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.
Late Anakwe 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.
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