Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, a former governor of Anambra state, has died at the age of 85.

Ezeife died on Thursday around 6pm, according to information from a statement issued by his family.

“On behalf of the Ezeife Dynasty of Igbo-Ukwu, 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,” the statement signed by Rob Ezeife reads.

“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.”

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

He served as governor until Gen Sani Abacha, ex-military Head of State, seized the reins of power 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.