Yar’Adua, Akeredolu, Balewa: 30 Nigerian Politicians Who D!ed In Office

Nigeria’s political history has recorded several cases of presidents, governors, ministers and lawmakers dying while still serving in public office.

According to Ireporter Online, the deaths occurred under different circumstances, including prolonged illnesses, accidents and political or military violence. In several cases, the deaths resulted in deputies or other officials assuming vacant positions, while the loss of lawmakers triggered by-elections.

Among the most prominent cases in the Fourth Republic was that of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, whose death in 2010 led to then-Vice President Goodluck Jonathan becoming president.

At the state level, the deaths of governors such as Mamman Bello Ali, Patrick Yakowa and Rotimi Akeredolu also resulted in their deputies taking over the reins of government.

The following are notable Nigerian civilian politicians who died while holding public office, based on records available as of September 2026.

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister, died while serving as head of government. He became Prime Minister at independence in 1960 and continued in the position when Nigeria became a republic in 1963. His tenure ended abruptly on January 15, 1966, when he was killed during Nigeria’s first military coup alongside several other political and military leaders.

Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of the Northern Region, was another prominent victim of the January 1966 coup. The leader of the Northern People’s Congress was assassinated at his official residence in Kaduna while still serving as premier.

Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Premier of the Western Region, was also killed during the 1966 coup. Akintola had been a central figure in the political crisis in the Western Region before he was assassinated in Ibadan on January 15, 1966.

Shehu Kangiwa became the first elected civilian governor of Sokoto State under the Second Republic after winning the 1979 election on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria. He died on November 17, 1981, after sustaining fatal injuries in a horse-riding accident during a polo tournament in Kaduna. His deputy, Garba Nadama, succeeded him.

Former Oyo State Governor Bola Ige was serving as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice when he was assassinated at his residence in Bodija, Ibadan, on December 23, 2001. Ige had previously served as Minister of Power and Steel under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

Mamman Bello Ali, who became governor of Yobe State in 2007, died on January 26, 2009, while receiving medical treatment in the United States. His death was attributed to leukaemia in reports at the time. His deputy, Ibrahim Gaidam, subsequently became governor.

Former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua became president in 2007 after serving as governor of Katsina State. His presidency was overshadowed by prolonged health challenges, including a period of medical treatment in Saudi Arabia beginning in November 2009. He died on May 5, 2010, at the age of 58. His death resulted in Vice President Goodluck Jonathan being sworn in as president the following day.

Senator Gyang Dalyop Dantong, who represented Plateau North, died on July 8, 2012, during an attack at a mass burial ceremony for victims of violence in Plateau State. Plateau State lawmaker Gyang Fulani also died in the incident.

Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa became governor of Kaduna State in 2010 after Namadi Sambo left the position to become vice president. Yakowa later won the 2011 governorship election but died on December 15, 2012, in a Nigerian Navy helicopter crash in Bayelsa State while returning from a funeral. Former National Security Adviser Andrew Azazi and four others were also killed in the crash. Yakowa’s deputy, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, succeeded him.

Senator Pius Ewherido, who represented Delta Central, died on June 30, 2013, at the National Hospital in Abuja following a brief illness. He was elected to the Senate in 2011 on the platform of the Democratic People’s Party and served as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.

Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta of Niger East died in June 2014 while receiving medical treatment. He had been a senator since 2007 and chaired the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Former Osun State Governor Isiaka Adeleke was serving as senator representing Osun West when he died on April 23, 2017. Adeleke, who had previously served in the Senate, was also the first civilian governor of Osun State. His death led to a by-election won by his younger brother, Ademola Adeleke, who later became governor of the state.

Senator Mustapha Bukar, who represented Katsina North, died on April 4, 2018, while serving in the Senate. He was a member of the All Progressives Congress and chaired the Senate Committee on Capital Market.

Umar Buba Jibril, who represented Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency, died on March 30, 2018, after a prolonged illness. He was serving as Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives at the time of his death.

Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, representing Imo North, died on December 18, 2019. The former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly was serving his first term in the Senate when he died.

Ignatius Longjan, a former deputy governor of Plateau State, was serving as senator representing Plateau South when he died on February 10, 2020, following a prolonged illness. He had entered the Senate after the 2019 general election.

Senator Rose Oko of Cross River North died on March 23, 2020, while serving her second term in the Senate. She died at a medical facility in the United Kingdom and had previously represented Yala/Ogoja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Senator Adebayo Osinowo, popularly known as Pepperito, died on June 15, 2020, while representing Lagos East. He had served several terms in the Lagos State House of Assembly before being elected to the Senate in 2019.

Haruna Maitala, who represented Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, died in a road accident on April 2, 2021, while travelling from Abuja to Jos. His son, driver and security aide also died in the crash.

Ossy Prestige, an Abia politician and member of the House of Representatives, died in February 2021 while representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency. The APGA lawmaker was serving his second term and had been receiving medical treatment abroad.

Jude Ise-Idehen, who represented Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency of Edo State, died on July 1, 2022, at the age of 52. The PDP lawmaker had already secured his party’s ticket for another term in the 2023 elections before his death.

Former Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, died on December 27, 2023, while still serving as governor. First elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, Akeredolu spent extended periods receiving medical treatment during his second term. His deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, succeeded him as governor.

Isa Dogonyaro, who represented Babura/Garki Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, died on May 10, 2024, after a brief illness. The 46-year-old APC lawmaker was serving as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control.

Olaide Adewale Akinremi, popularly known as Jagaban, died on July 10, 2024, while representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency. He was serving his second term and chaired the House Committee on Science Research Institutes.

Ekene Abubakar Adams, a Labour Party lawmaker representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, died on July 16, 2024. He was serving his first term and chaired the House Committee on Sports, having previously worked as a football administrator.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah died in London in July 2024 while representing Anambra South. Ubah first entered the Senate in 2019 and was re-elected in 2023, remaining a prominent political figure in Anambra until his death.

Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, died on January 15, 2025, after a brief illness. She represented Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State and was 59 at the time of her death.

Senator Barinada Mpigi of Rivers South-East died on February 19, 2026, becoming one of the latest serving senators to die in office. He had spent more than a decade in the National Assembly and chaired the Senate Committee on Works at the time of his death.

Muhammad Danjuma Hassan, who represented Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency of Kano State, died on April 10, 2026. The first-term lawmaker was Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary and was 66.

Yaya Bauchi Tongo, who represented Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, died on June 12, 2026, following a brief illness at an Abuja hospital. He was also Chairman of the Nigeria–United Arab Emirates Parliamentary Friendship Group. Following his death, the House declared the seat vacant to allow a by-election to be conducted.