A former deputy governor of Cross River State, Walter Eneji, who served between 2003 and 2007, is dead.

The late Mr. Eneji was reported to have died in his sleep while recuperating from a prolonged sickness. The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Christian Ita, confirmed the death, saying the family of the deceased had informed the government.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the deceased served under former governor Donald Duke
from February 2003 to May 2007 after the impeachment of the then deputy governor, late John Okpa.
He contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries ahead of the 2007 election, but lost to the immediate past governor of the state, Liyel Imoke.

His death is coming on the heels of the preparation for the burial of yet another deputy governor, Matthias Ofoboche, who died three weeks ago. Late Mr. Ofoboche was deputy governor to late Clement Isong in 1979.

Mr. Ita expressed regret that Mr. Eneji’s death came at the time the state was planning for Mr. Ofoboche’s burial.