Nigeria’s Second Republic Vice-President, Alex Ekwueme is dead.

According to a statement released by his family, the 85-year-old Ekwueme died at the London Clinic in central London on Sunday.

The statement which was signed by his elder brother and the traditional ruler of Oko in Anambra State, Igwe Laz Ekwueme said the highly-educated elder statesman died at 10:00 pm.

“The Ekwueme family regrets to announce the peaceful passing away of their patriarch,the former Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, GCON.

“The sad event occurred at the London Clinic at 10:00 pm on Sunday, 19th November, 2017,” the statement read in part.

Dr. Ekwueme had collapsed in his Enugu residence a few weeks back after which he was taken to the Memphys Neurosurgery Hospital in Enugu where he relapsed and went into coma.

After being briefed about Ekwueme’s condition, President Muhammadu Buhari  directed that he be immediately flown abroad to receive urgent medical treatment.

Born October 21, 1932, Dr. Ekwueme  was educated at the prestigious King’s College, Lagos. He obtained a degree in Architecture from the University of Washington. He served as the country’s Vice-President under President Shehu Shagari between 1979 and 1983.