Eneji, Former C’River Deputy Governor Dies

Bassey Inynag

Aformer Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Walter Eneji, who served during the administration of former Governor Donald Duke is dead.

A source in his family who refused to be quoted because he was incompetent to speak on the matter, said Eneji died in London on Wednesday where he had been undergoing treatment in recent times for an undisclosed ailment.

The source said Eneji was recuperating fast due to the treatment, but died suddenly, but peacefully in his sleep.

Governor Ben Ayade’s Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, who responded to enquires about the demise of the former number two man, said the state government had been officially informed about the passing of Eneji.

Ita said the news of Eneji’s death came at a time the state was preparing for the burial of another former deputy governor of the state, Dr. Mathias Offoboche.

Eneji was nominated and approved to be the deputy governor of the state in February 2003 and he remained in office until May 29, 2007 when Duke handed over power to his successor Liyel Imoke.

However, during the transition period preparatory to the 2007 general election, Eneji vied for the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but lost gallantly to Imoke at the governorship primaries of the party held at the UJ. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

Eneji’s death came few weeks after the death of Offoboche who was deputy governor of the state in the Second Republic.