Nigeria’s political landscape has suffered a string of major losses in 2026, with 19 serving and former politicians, lawmakers, ministers, party leaders and elder statesmen reportedly dying between January and September.
From the Senate and House of Representatives to state governments and political parties, the deaths have cut across different levels of Nigeria’s political establishment.
Some were prominent national figures, while others were influential behind the scenes. Their passing, in several cases, drew tributes from President Bola Tinubu and other political leaders.
As of September 3, 2026, these are the notable political figures whose deaths have been reported:
1. John Kojo-Brambaifa
Former Bayelsa West Senator John Kojo-Brambaifa died in early January at the age of 81.
He represented Bayelsa West in the Fifth National Assembly and previously served as chairman of Sagbama Local Government Council and chairman of the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue.
Until his death, he was Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Agriculture, Bassambiri.
2. Barinada Mpigi
Senator Barinada Mpigi died on February 19 at the age of 64 while serving as the representative of Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
Until his death, he chaired the Senate Committee on Works. He had previously served in the House of Representatives before entering the Senate in 2019.
3. Abdulsalami Ginsau
The APC Assistant Organising Secretary in Kano State, Abdulsalami Ginsau, died on March 27.
The lawyer was reportedly in Abuja for the APC National Convention when he became trapped in a malfunctioning hotel elevator and died.
4. Muhammad Danjuma Hassan
House of Representatives member Muhammad Danjuma Hassan died on April 10 at 66.
He represented Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency of Kano State and served as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary.
5. Ibrahim Galadima
Former Kano State Commissioner Ibrahim Galadima died on April 18 at the age of 78.
He served twice as a commissioner in Kano State before becoming a prominent sports administrator. He also served as president of the then Nigeria Football Association between 2002 and 2006.
6. Yaya Bauchi Tongo
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.
7. Audu Sule-Katagum
Former Bauchi Deputy Governor Audu Sule-Katagum died on June 20 at the age of 69.
Before becoming deputy governor between 2018 and 2019 under former Governor Mohammed Abubakar, he served as Chief of Staff.
8. Anthony Ademuyiwa Adeniyi
Former Ekiti South Senator Anthony Ademuyiwa Adeniyi, SAN, died on June 24 at the age of 75.
He represented Ekiti South Senatorial District from 2011 to 2015 and later became chairman of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju in Ekiti State.
9. Ganiyu Kolapo ‘Kola’ Oseni
Veteran Lagos politician Ganiyu Kolapo Oseni died on July 1.
During the Second Republic, he served as organising secretary of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria in Lagos State.
President Bola Tinubu described Oseni as a political mentor and ally who played a role in introducing him to politics.
10. Turner Isoun
Former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Turner Timinipre Isoun, died in Abuja on July 15 at the age of 87.
He served as minister between 2000 and 2007 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo and was also a respected academic and Ijaw leader.
11. Fatima Mairiga
Yobe APC Deputy Women Leader Fatima Mairiga died in Kano on July 25 following a brief illness.
She was known for her role in mobilising women and strengthening the APC’s grassroots structure in Yobe State.
12. Abubakar Alhaji
Former Finance Minister Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji died in late July.
He served as Minister of National Planning and later Minister of Finance during the administration of former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida.
He also served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
13. Ibrahim Aliyu
Former Kebbi Deputy Governor Ibrahim Aliyu died on July 31 after a prolonged illness.
He served as deputy governor of Kebbi State under Saidu Usman Dakingari from 2007 to 2015.
14. Peter Ajang Azi
Former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Peter Ajang Azi died on August 13.
He represented Jos North-West and served as Speaker between 2015 and 2018.
15. Hamza Usman Darma
Kano APC chieftain Hamza Usman Darma died on August 21 at the age of 76.
President Tinubu described him as a personal friend, a committed party member and an important contributor to Kano’s political development.
16. Abdul Waheed Akintola Olajide
Former Oyo State Secretary to the Government, Abdul Waheed Akintola Olajide, died on August 25.
He served as SSG during the administration of former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
17. Aminu Yusuf Wushishi
The Chairman of the National Population Commission, Dr Aminu Yusuf Wushishi, died on August 28 at the age of 66.
His death came roughly eight months after he assumed office.
Before his appointment, Wushishi had served as chairman of Wushishi Local Government Area and held political positions in Niger State. He also served as Special Adviser on Political Affairs to former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.
18. Kaka Mallam Yale
Former Borno Central Senator Kaka Mallam Yale died on August 28 while receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
He represented Borno Central Senatorial District from 2007 to 2011 on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party.
19. Dan Osi Orbih
Prominent Peoples Democratic Party chieftain Dan Osi Orbih died on August 31 at the age of 64.
Orbih served for years as chairman of the Edo State PDP before becoming the party’s National Vice-Chairman for the South-South.
He remained an influential figure in PDP politics and was closely associated with the political bloc led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
A Year Of Losses
The deaths have left gaps across Nigeria’s political landscape, affecting the Senate, House of Representatives, state governments, political parties and other key institutions.
For a country already grappling with significant political and economic challenges, the loss of so many experienced political figures within just eight months represents a notable chapter in Nigeria’s political history.
As 2026 continues, the names of these 19 politicians will remain part of the year’s record of prominent figures Nigeria has lost.
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