Former Governor of Anambra State and two-time Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Barr. Agunwa Anaekwe, describing the late politician’s death as “the uprooting of a big political Iroko tree from igbo land and Nigeria in general.”
In a tribute issued at the weekend, Ngige recounted Anaekwe’s immense contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey and the progressive political movement. He described the former Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Third Republic as a trusted friend and political ally.
“Late Agunwa was my friend, trusted political ally, who aligned himself with progressive politics since he joined partisan politics in 1991 through the defunct Social Democratic Party [SDP], emerging the Speaker of the House in a keenly contested Speakership race between the SDP and Opposition National Republican Convention (NRC),” Ngige said.
He praised Anaekwe’s leadership of the House between 1992 and November 17, 1993, describing it as wise and steady. “Agunwa steered the House with a lot of dexterity, wisdom and patience and [a] situation that saw that House having more stability than its Senate counterpart before the military, led by General Sani Abacha, struck.”
Following the dissolution of democratic institutions by the Abacha-led junta, Ngige noted that Anaekwe accepted the political setback “with equanimity” and joined pro-democracy forces in the struggle for the restoration of democracy.
“At the inception of the 3rd Republic he joined us in the Vanguard of Dr Alex Ekwueme’s alliance that went to form the Eastern flank of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),” Ngige recalled.
He went further to highlight Anaekwe’s role during the 1998 gubernatorial election in Anambra State. “He contested the controversial Gubernatorial [election] of Dec 1998, and even though he didn’t make it, accepted the results in good faith and while some others were going to party Appeal panel and Court, he joined us to deliver the then Guber candidate HE Chinwoke Mbadinuju of blessed memory.”
According to Ngige, Anaekwe played a pivotal role in his own emergence as governor in 2003, noting that “Ide Agunwa was the Battalion Commander of the foot soldiers who worked in Anaocha and Njikoka Local Governments, showed palpable presence in the elections producing advantageous outcomes.”
“As Governor, he stood with me in the fight to behead the godfathers that held Anambra hostage under Gov Mbadinuju, resulting in ‘years of the locusts’—a situation with unpaid salaries and gratuities for workers, teachers, resulting in closure of schools for one academic session.”
Ngige noted that Anaekwe served on the Governor’s Advisory Committee of Elders and remained politically active and loyal. “We were allies again in the formation of Action Congress (AC) in 2006 and in my absence overseas, after my removal by the Court, he stepped in and stood in as the FIRST INTERIM Chairman of Action Congress Anambra Chapter.”
He also acknowledged Anaekwe’s humility and devotion to service when he took on the role of APC Ex-Officio for the South East during the party’s 2022 National Convention, despite being a former National Caucus member.
“His death has therefore created 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.
He ended his tribute on a personal note, reflecting on his last visit to Anaekwe’s Abuja residence. “I remember with nostalgia my last visit to him with Senator Osita Izunaso (his Media Assistant as Speaker) to see him in his Abuja home in late March when I heard he was sick and was billed for a major surgery. The camaraderie we shared that night and his happiness at seeing us after many months lifted our spirit—not knowing that Death, the ‘Biggest Thief in the night,’ was lurking around to steal our friend and brother Ide Anaocha!!”
Ngige prayed for God’s comfort upon Anaekwe’s family and the people of Anambra State, saying, “May the good Lord comfort the family, the Government and our people in Anambra State and Nigeria in general on this colossal loss, just as we pray that the good Lord will grant his soul eternal rest.”
Chioma Kalu
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