Former Anambra State governor Willie Obiano gives up the ghost in a London hospital

FORMER Anambra State governor Wille Obiano has been reported to have passed away in a London hospital after succumbing to urinary cancer in another instance of Nigerian politicians giving up the ghost in the UK.

Governor Obiano, 70, governed Anambra State between 2014 and 2022, succeeding former presidential candidate Peter Obi as the chief executive. A member of the  All Progressives Grand Alliance (Apga), he then handed over to the current governor Charles Soludo, who was nominated by the party to succeed him.

After leaving office, Governor Obiano was arrested and investigate by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N4bn ($2.77m) fraud. In April 2022, a federal high court in Awka, however, gave Governor Obiano permission to travel abroad for medical treatment in the US.

It appears that Governor Obiano then flew on to the UK for further treatment and passed away in London this week. Over the years, several Nigerian politicians have ended up giving up the ghost in London hospitals, including President Muhammadu Buhari and the Apga party leader Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu.

According to Sahara Reporters, Governor Obiano passed away after battling severe heart failure and complications related to urinary cancer. According to one senior family source, his health had been declining in the past months but the final collapse came very suddenly.

Medical officials in London also confirmed that Governor Obiano was receiving intensive care before his condition worsened. One member of staff at the hosp[ital where he was being treated said: “He fought till the very last moment.”

In July this year, the Federal High Court, Abuja, fixed November 25 for the trial of Governor Obiano, over the alleged money laundering charge. A nine-count charge, preferred against the former governor by the EFCC was re-assigned to Justice Mohammed Umar recently but clearly the trial will now no longer hold..

Born on August 8, 1955, Governor Obiano hailed from Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area. He received his bachelor's degree in accountancy from the University of Lagos in 1979 and began his banking career in 1981 with First Bank of Nigeria before joining Chevron Corporation as an accountant.

Governor Obiano’s tenure as Anambra’s fourth democratically elected governor spanned two terms, during which he implemented policies focused on security, infrastructure development and economic growth in the state. His administration was noted for maintaining relative security in Anambra during a period when neighbouring states faced significant challenges and he also championed agricultural initiatives and attracted investment to the commercial hub of Onitsha and the state capital, Awka.