Some prominent Nigerian politicians, who excitedly crossed
over into 2025, died within the year.
While some of the prominent leaders died at the beginning of
the year, others joined their ancestors at the tail end of 2025.
Here are top seven politicians whose deaths
shook the country in 2025.
House of Reps’ Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga
The first prominent politician who died in 2025 was Hon.
Adewunmi Onanuga, who passed away while serving as Deputy Chief Whip in the
House of Representatives.
Onanuga, who represented the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North
Federal Constituency of Ogun State, died on January 15, 2025, after a brief
illness.
The lawmaker, who was re-elected in 2023 and appointed
Deputy Chief Whip of the 10th Assembly, died at the age of 60.
Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo
Barely two months into 2025, a foremost nationalist and
leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo
died.
The elder statesman died peacefully at his residence in
Lekki, Lagos State, on February 14, 2025, at the age of 96.
Amid tears, Adebanjo was buried on May 3, 2025 at his
hometown, Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark
On February 17, 2025, a former Federal Commissioner for
Information, Edwin Clark, died at the age of 98 after a brief illness at a
private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
The death of Mr Clark, a prominent leader of the Ijaw ethnic
nationality, was described by many stakeholders as a rude shock.
Before his demise, the South-South leader was sighted at
public events without an obvious indication of ill-health.
According to reports, Mr Clark had difficulty breathing in
the night on February 16, which prompted him to be moved to the private
hospital in Abuja, where he unfortunately died.
The elder statesman was buried on May 13 at the popular
Kiagbodo town, Delta State.
Doyin Okupe
A seasoned politician and media strategist, Doyin Okupe died
on March 7, 2025, at the age of 72.
Okupe, an ex-presidential spokesperson to former Nigerian
Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, died in Lagos State after a
prolonged illness.
The former Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential
Campaign was laid to rest on March 28, 2025, in his hometown, Iperu-Remo, Ikenne
Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Former governor of Kwara State, Adebayo
A former senator and ex-governor of Kwara state, Cornelius
Olatunji Adebayo, passed away on June 25, 2025.
Adebayo, who emerged as governor of Kwara State during the
Second Republic, died at the age of 84.
The elder statesman, who served as the Minister of
Communications and Transportation during former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s
regime from 2003 to 2006, was later buried in his hometown in Isin Local
Government Area of Kwara State.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari
The immediate past Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, died
in London, United Kingdom, UK on July 13, 2026 at the age of 82 years.
Buhari, who died after a brief illness in a London
hospital, was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State on July 15,
2025.
Several local and foreign politicians, including presidents
and former presidents, witnessed the interment of the former president.
Bayelsa deputy governor
Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, died on December 11 after slumping while he was working in his office.
The state governor, Senator Douye Diri, subsequently directed
that an autopsy be carried out on Ewhrudjakpo’s body to medically determine
the cause of his death.
Pained by the ugly development, the governor declared a
three-day state mourning, directing that all flags be flown at half-mast.
culled: Dailypost
Source: Top politicians, other prominent Nigerians that died in 2025
