The former governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has died in London, United Kingdom, following complications related to severe heart failure and urinary cancer. SaharaReporters confirmed Obiano’s passing with family and medical sources, revealing that his health had rapidly declined in recent months.
A senior family source, deeply saddened, provided insight into the former governor’s final days: “His health had been declining in the past months, but the final collapse came suddenly. We are devastated.” Medical officials in London further confirmed that Obiano was under intensive care before his condition worsened. “He fought till the very last moment,” said a hospital insider, underscoring the determined spirit with which the former leader faced his health challenges.
Obiano, who governed Anambra State from March 2014 to March 2022, left behind a legacy marked by both bold infrastructural developments and allegations of fiscal impropriety. After exiting office, he became entangled in a high-profile money laundering case. The Federal High Court in Abuja had fixed November 25 for the continuation of his trial over allegations that he misappropriated over ₦4 billion from Anambra State’s treasury. The nine-count charge, pursued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was recently reassigned to Justice Mohammed Umar. According to testimonies in court, the signatories to the security vote account under Obiano’s administration included key officials such as his former Principal Secretary, Willy Nwokoye, and the Accountant, Theophilus Nweze.
Mr. Ugochukwu Otubelu, a former commercial bank staff and the prosecution’s third witness, recounted his role in managing the state’s security vote account during the trial. Otubelu, now a businessman, testified that he frequently interfaced with these signatories on a daily and weekly basis to process transactions. These revelations have cast a shadow on Obiano’s post-government years, despite his noted accomplishments while in office.
Throughout his tenure, Obiano was known for ambitious infrastructural projects such as the Anambra International Airport and his “Community Choose Your Project” initiative, which empowered local communities with direct funds for self-selected projects. However, his time as governor was not without setbacks, including allegations of increasing state debt and financial mismanagement that marred his legacy.
The Obiano family and associates expressed their grief at this sudden loss. As one family member poignantly stated, “We are devastated.” The broader Anambra community also mourns a governor whose leadership, for better or worse, indelibly shaped the state’s recent history.
