The year 2025 witnessed a series of profound losses across Nigeria’s political spectrum, with several prominent figures passing away. From a former president and a serving deputy governor to elder statesmen and influential lawmakers, their deaths cast a pall over the nation, prompting widespread tributes and reflections on their contributions to public life. The departures of these significant personalities marked a period of national mourning and a re-evaluation of their enduring legacies.
Among the most significant losses was that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on July 13, 2025, in London at the age of 82 after a brief illness. His passing sent shockwaves throughout Nigeria and the international community. Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s Head of State from 1983 to 1985 and as elected President from 2015 to 2023, was a towering figure in the nation’s history, known for his military discipline and anti-corruption stance.
His remains were repatriated and laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, on July 15, 2025. The funeral was attended by numerous local and international dignitaries, including serving and former presidents, underscoring his stature on the global stage. Tributes poured in from across the globe, acknowledging his long and impactful career in service to Nigeria.
Nigeria also grappled with the sudden death of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who collapsed while working in his office on December 11, 2025. His unexpected demise prompted immediate concern and a declaration of a three-day state mourning by Governor Douye Diri, with all flags flown at half-mast. An autopsy was ordered to ascertain the medical cause of his untimely passing.
Earlier in the year, Nigeria mourned the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a foremost nationalist and leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere. He died peacefully at his Lekki residence in Lagos State on February 14, 2025, at the age of 96. Adebanjo was a vocal advocate for true federalism and social justice, his voice a consistent presence in national discourse for decades. He was buried on May 3, 2025, in his hometown of Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State.
Just days after Adebanjo’s passing, another elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, died on February 17, 2025, at 98. The former Federal Commissioner for Information and a prominent leader of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, Clark passed away at a private hospital in Abuja after a brief illness. His death was described as a rude shock by many stakeholders, given his active public appearances prior to his health decline. He was laid to rest on May 13 in Kiagbodo town, Delta State.
March 2025 saw the departure of seasoned politician and media strategist, Doyin Okupe, who died at 72 in Lagos State after a prolonged illness. Okupe served as a presidential spokesperson to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, and notably as the Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign. His strategic insights and media acumen were highly regarded in political circles. He was buried on March 28, 2025, in his hometown of Iperu-Remo, Ogun State.
June brought the news of the death of Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, a former senator and ex-governor of Kwara State, who passed away on June 25, 2025, at the age of 84. Adebayo, who governed Kwara State during the Second Republic, also served as Minister of Communications and Transportation under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2003 to 2006. His extensive career underscored a commitment to public service across various capacities. He was later buried in his hometown in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The year’s initial prominent political loss was that of Honourable Adewunmi Onanuga, the Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Representatives, who died on January 15, 2025, at 60 after a brief illness. Representing the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State, Onanuga had been re-elected in 2023 and appointed to her leadership role in the 10th Assembly. Her sudden passing left a void in the legislative arm of government.
The collective impact of these deaths resonated deeply within Nigerian society, highlighting the transient nature of leadership and the enduring influence of those who shaped the nation’s trajectory. Each individual, in their unique capacity, contributed to the complex tapestry of Nigerian politics and governance, leaving behind legacies that will continue to be debated and remembered.
