Annie Okonkwo, ex-Anambra central senator, is dead

Annie Okonkwo, a former senator who represented Anambra central, is dead.

Okonkwo battled cancer for months. He died at 63.

He was part of the upper legislative chamber between 2007 to 2011 and was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Uche Ekwunife, current senator representing Anambra central, announced his demise on the floor of the senate on Thursday.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan described the late Okonkwo as a team player and a “very cheerful person”.

“Let me on behalf of the senate of the federal republic of Nigeria, commiserate with the family of our late colleague,” he said.

“I served with Senator Annie Okonkwo in the sixth senate. I knew him very well. He was a complete gentleman, team player, very cheerful person and very nice, and of course once a senator always a senator.

“We pray to Almighty God for the repose of his soul.”

During his stint in the senate, Okonkwo was part of the committees on upstream petroleum resources, police affairs, environment and agriculture.

Uche Okonkwo, his son, is a house of representatives member-elect.