‘He had a towering influence’ — Tinubu mourns Chukwuemeka Ezeife

President Bola Tinubu has sympathised with the family of Chukwuemeka Ezeife, a former governor of Anambra state, over his death.

Ezeife died on Thursday around 6 pm. He was aged 85.

According to a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Tinubu described Ezeife’s passing as a “painful loss”.

The president praised the “towering influence of the former federal permanent secretary as well as his leadership credentials” in Nigeria’s political landscape.

“The President recalls the contributions the late Chief Ezeife made in the shaping of public discourse and governance in Nigeria, as well as in laying the foundation for the advancement of his dear state,” the statement reads.

“While praying for the repose of the soul of the dearly departed, the President encourages his loved ones to take solace in his indelible legacy.”

Ezeife was elected governor of Anambra on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in Nigeria’s third republic, in 1992.

He served as governor until Sani Abacha, ex-military ruler, seized the reins of power at the centre and dissolved all civilian institutions in 1993.

Ezeife obtained a BSc in Economics from the University College Ibadan, and a masters and PhD degrees from Harvard University.

He was also appointed special adviser on political matters by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo when Nigeria commenced its fourth republic in 1999.