Rasheeda Yahaya
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has eulogised a Speaker of the House, the late Rt. Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe, and described him as a lawmaker with impeccable character.
Speaker Abbas gave the eulogy at a valedictory session organised by the House on Thursday in honour of ex-Speaker Anaekwe.
Rt. Hon. Anaekwe, who hailed from Adazi in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, was Speaker of the 3rd House between December 5, 1992, and November 17, 1993, in the botched Third Republic.
He passed on in July 2025 at the age of 68. Until his demise, he was a leader in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his valedictory speech, the Speaker said the ceremony was “a moment of institutional reflection to honour the life and service of Rt. Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe.”
The Speaker said: “This is a rare recognition reserved for those whose contributions have left a lasting imprint on our democratic journey.
“In the tradition of parliaments around the world, this valedictory session is not merely to offer ceremonial words. It offers us the opportunity both as an institution and as individuals to assess the substance of leadership, the weight of duty, and the legacy left behind. Rt. Hon. Anaekwe exemplified a standard of parliamentary conduct that combined discipline, fairness, and clarity of purpose.”
He added: “Elected during the Third Republic, at a time when Nigeria stood at a complex intersection of political transition and democratic aspiration, he assumed the speakership in 1992 and guided this House with composure and clarity of purpose. He recognised that the strength of a legislature lies not in power for its own sake, but in the responsible exercise of authority.
“He approached the Speakership not as a platform for personal elevation, but as a constitutional trust. Under his leadership, the House maintained coherence in the face of political uncertainty. He upheld the sanctity of this House and demonstrated that even in turbulent periods, legislative order can be preserved through restraint and conviction.”
Speaker Abbas noted that beyond Rt. Hon. Anaekwe’s tenure as Speaker, the late lawmaker continued to engage national issues “with depth and moderation.” He said Rt. Hon. Anaekwe’s voice was “thoughtful, not performative,” adding that he “valued dialogue over division and consistency over convenience.”
The Speaker stressed that to Rt. Hon. Anaekwe’s colleagues, the deceased was “measured and dependable,” while to his constituents, he was “attentive and principled,” and to the nation, he was a “steward of democratic norms.”
Speaker Abbas stated: “By allowing his remains to lie in state within this institution he once led, the National Assembly affirms the enduring significance of his contribution. This honour is not symbolic alone. It confirms that our history acknowledges those who strengthened the legislature through integrity rather than ambition.
“As we pay our respects, we are reminded that leadership in this chamber demands more than authority. It calls for patience, institutional loyalty, and a deep understanding that the House of Representatives is not simply a political arena, but a constitutional organ of the Republic.”
The Speaker, on behalf of the House, and the National Assembly by extension, extended condolences to the Anaekwe family, his community in Anambra State, “and all who were shaped by his counsel and example.”
He said: “Rt. Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe did not merely occupy the office of Speaker. He accepted the challenge and the enormous responsibility entrusted to him. He discharged his duty with humility and a deep sense of service. He demonstrated that leadership can be disciplined, thoughtful, and principled.
“Even in these final moments, we do more than mourn. We recognise a life that strengthened this institution and a legacy that will endure in its memory.
“May history record that he served with restraint, conviction, and purpose. May his memory continue to inform the character of this House. May he rest in peace.”
The Speaker used the occasion to announce that all former presiding officers of the House, both living and deceased, would be immortalised. He said conference and committee rooms will be named after each of them, with their respective portraits placed at the entrances.
Several dignitaries especially former colleagues of Rt. Hon. Anaekwe in the House attended the ceremony and took turns to recall events and times with the former Speaker.
They include former Speakers, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; ex-Deputy Speaker (to Rt. Hon. Anaekwe), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; ex-Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; and Senator Chris Ngige, among others.
Members of the South-East Caucus in the National Assembly especially senators were also in attendance.
The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, spoke on behalf of the leadership of the House, while Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, who were members of the 3rd Assembly and are currently serving in the 10th National Assembly, also eulogised the deceased.
