Nigeria In Mourning: Prominent Politicians Who Have D!ed In 2026

Nigeria has recorded the deaths of several prominent political figures in 2026, including serving and former lawmakers, ministers, deputy governors, party leaders and elder statesmen.

As of September 3, 2026, at least 19 notable Nigerian politicians have reportedly died, with their deaths drawing tributes from political leaders, colleagues, families and supporters across the country.

According to Bush Radio Academy, among the prominent figures who have passed away this year are Senator Barinada Mpigi, Abdulsalami Ginsau, a senior APC official in Kano, and several other politicians who played significant roles at the federal and state levels.

Former Bayelsa West Senator John Kojo-Brambaifa died in January at the age of 81. He represented the senatorial district in the Fifth National Assembly and previously served as chairman of Sagbama Local Government Council as well as chairman of the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue. At the time of his death, he was serving as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Agriculture, Bassambiri.

Senator Barinada Mpigi died on February 19 at the age of 64 while representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District. Until his death, he chaired the Senate Committee on Works. Before becoming a senator in 2019, Mpigi had served as a member of the House of Representatives.

The political class in Kano was thrown into mourning on March 27 following the death of Abdulsalami Ginsau, the state’s APC Assistant Organising Secretary. Ginsau, a lawyer who had travelled to Abuja for the party’s National Convention, reportedly died after becoming trapped in a malfunctioning hotel elevator.

On April 10, the House of Representatives lost Muhammad Danjuma Hassan at the age of 66. Hassan represented Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency of Kano State and served as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary.

Former Kano State Commissioner Ibrahim Galadima died on April 18 at the age of 78. He served twice as a commissioner in the state before becoming prominent in sports administration. Galadima also served as president of the then Nigeria Football Association between 2002 and 2006.

Serving federal lawmaker Yaya Bauchi Tongo died on June 12 following a brief illness in Abuja. He represented Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Former Bauchi State Deputy Governor Audu Sule-Katagum died on June 20 at the age of 69. He had previously served as Chief of Staff before becoming deputy governor between 2018 and 2019 under former Governor Mohammed Abubakar.

Former Ekiti South Senator Anthony Ademuyiwa Adeniyi, SAN, died on June 24 at the age of 75. Adeniyi represented Ekiti South Senatorial District between 2011 and 2015. He later served as chairman of the Ekiti State chapter of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju, a political group that mobilised support for Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Veteran Lagos politician Ganiyu Kolapo ‘Kola’ Oseni also died on July 1. Oseni was active in Nigerian politics during the Second Republic and served as the organising secretary of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria in Lagos State.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid tribute to some of the deceased politicians, describing Oseni as a mentor and recalling the impact he had made in Lagos politics. The President also mourned Kano APC chieftain Hamza Usman Darma, whom he described as a personal friend.

The deaths recorded so far in 2026 have continued to generate reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape, with tributes highlighting the contributions of the deceased to governance, party politics, public service and national development.