2024 HEARDVOICE REVIEW: Nine Prominent Nigerian Politicians That Died In 2024
In 2024, Nigeria lost some of its prominent politicians to the cold hands of death and as the year is gradually coming to an end, we have listed some of them.
1. Senator Ifeanyi Ubah
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, representing Anambra South, passed away in London on Saturday. Ubah, who would have clocked 53 on September 3, was also the CEO of Capital Oil and founder of The Authority newspaper and Ifeanyi Ubah FC. He contested the 2014 Anambra governorship election and was elected to the Senate in 2019. Ubah was married to Uchenna Ubah, and together they had five children.
2. Cairo Ojougboh (Former House of Reps member)
A prominent politician within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former member of the House of Representatives, Cairo Ojougboh, tragically passed away after collapsing during the 2023 AFCON semi-final encounter between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa. Ojougboh collapsed when South Africa was awarded a penalty against Nigeria. The sudden death of the politician who hailed from Delta State elicited reactions from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former presidential aide Lauretta Onochie. Atiku, in his post on X, said, “The sudden passing of my close friend, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, deeply saddens me. His love for our country was profound.”
3. Musiliudeen Akinremi
Musiliudeen Akinremi, a two-term member representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency of Oyo State, passed away in July. Popularly known as Jagaban, Akinremi, who was 51, served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Science Research Institutions. He was elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, and his death followed a brief illness.
4. Peter Kisira (Former Deputy Governor of Kwara State)
The passing of Peter Kisira, a former Deputy Governor, brought sadness to the people of Kwara State. Reports indicate that Elder Kisira, aged 74, died on Saturday, March 30, 2024. Expressing his condolences in a statement by his aide, the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq prayed for Kisira’s soul and offered support to his grieving family. Kisira served as Deputy to the former State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfattah Ahmed, from May 29, 2011, until May 29, 2019.
5. Paul Akintelure (APC governorship aspirant in Ondo State)
The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) mourned the loss of one of its notable politicians and a governorship hopeful, Paul Akintelure who passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, March 26, 2024. His death came amidst concerns he had raised about threats to his life and just a month before the APC primary election. Akintelure was reported to have expressed worries about potential dangers to his safety, both explicit and implied. Oladapo Akintelure, his spokesperson, conveyed in a statement on Thursday, March 21, 2023, that the deceased politician had articulated these concerns.
6. Paul Omotoso (APC Chairman, Ekiti State chapter)
Paul Omotoso passed away on Wednesday morning, March 6, 2024, several months after regaining freedom from his abductors. He had been struggling with health issues since his release before his abduction in July 2023 while travelling by car in the Agbado Ekiti area of Gbonyin local government area in the state. While confirming his passing, the APC Publicity Secretary in Ekiti State, Segun Dipe, did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Omotoso’s death.
7. Fatai Adams (PDP Chairman Ondo State chapter)
Fatai Adams passed away at a private hospital in Akure, the capital of Ondo state, early Wednesday morning, February 14, following a short illness. Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, the spokesperson for the Ondo PDP, confirmed the politician’s demise in a statement, expressing condolences on behalf of the party to the deceased’s family. In January 2024, Adams faced suspension from the party’s SWC due to allegations of engaging in activities against the party’s interests. Between 2007 and 2011, he held a position in the Ondo State House of Assembly and later served as the deputy state chairman of the PDP in Ondo.
8. Isa Dogonyaro
Isa Dogonyaro, a member of the House of Representatives for Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State and an APC member, passed away on May 10, 2024, in Abuja following an undisclosed illness. Dogonyaro, who had been the Deputy Chairperson of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control, had recently been declared the APC candidate for the House of Representatives after a court decision.
9. Ekene Adams
Ekene Adams, who was representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State for the Labour Party (LP), died on July 16, 2024, at the age of 39. Adams, who had been battling ill health, was the chairman of the House Committee on Sports. He was known for his previous roles in the sports sector, including as a General Manager of Kada City Football Club and Remo Stars. His death was described as a significant loss by House spokesman, Akin Rotimi and the Labour Party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure.
