The first female senator in Nigeria, Franca Afegbua is dead.
The Afegbua family announced the former lawmaker’s demise in a statement on Sunday.
80-year-old Afegbua was a native of Okpella, a town in Etsako-East Local Government Area of old Bendel state.
“The Afegbua family of Edo State has confirmed the demise of the first woman senator in Nigeria, Senator Franca Afegbua, whose sad event occurred this morning, Sunday, March 12, 2023. She combined beauty and brain during her service to Nigeria. Funeral details will be announced by the family soon,” the family’s statement said.
Afegbua was elected senator representing Bendel-north in October 1983 on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria during the second republic.
But her political career was shortlived by the military coup of December 1983 which overthrew the civilian government less than three months in office.