NEWS
4 Nigerian Governors Who Died In Office
The legacy of Nigeria carries the memories of four distinguished governors who tragically passed away while diligently serving their terms in office.
Their untimely departures, marked by varied circumstances from accidents to health-related struggles, left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political history, prompting moments of national mourning and reshaping the trajectories of their respective states.
SHEHU KANGIWA
The initial occurrence of a governor passing away while in office was with Shehu Kangiwa, then serving as the Governor of Sokoto State. His untimely demise resulted from a polo accident in January 1982.
MAMMAN BELLO ALI
Mamman Bello Ali, who previously served as the representative of Yobe South Senatorial District from 1999 to 2007 and chaired the Senate Committee on Public Account, transitioned into the governorship after winning the Yobe State election in 2007 under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
Tragically, his tenure was cut short by his demise in 2009 due to leukemia while undergoing medical treatment in a hospital located in Florida, United States.
PATRICK IBRAHIM YAKOWA
Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa assumed the role of Kaduna State’s governor from 2010 to 2012 after a distinguished political career that began with his appointment as deputy governor in July 2005.
Following his election victory in April 2011, Yakowa continued his tenure, but his time in office was tragically cut short by a helicopter crash on December 15, 2012.
The crash, en route from Bayelsa State to Port Harcourt after attending a funeral, claimed the lives of Yakowa, the former National Security Adviser, General Owoye Andrew Azazi (rtd), two aides—Dauda Tsoho and Mohammed Kamal—and the helicopter’s pilots, Muritala Mohammed Daba and Adeyemi Sowole.
In the wake of this unfortunate incident, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, Yakowa’s deputy, took the oath as the new governor of the state the following day, administered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Rahila Cudjoe.
ROTIMI AKEREDOLU
Rotimi Akeredolu, who served as the Governor of Ondo State from 2017 to 2023, tragically became the fourth Nigerian governor to pass away while in office.
His absence began in June 2023 when he formally delegated authority to Aiyedatiwa and embarked on a 21-day medical leave in Germany. However, this leave was prolonged indefinitely as he continued receiving treatment in Germany.
Returning to Nigeria on September 6, he resumed his duties from his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Sadly, Akeredolu’s health struggles persisted, leading him to notify the state Assembly of another medical leave on December 11, culminating in his passing on December 27, 2023.
NEWS
FCT Police Warn Motorists Against One-Way Driving, Reject Calls From VIPs
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has warned motorists against driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way, cautioning that influential connections or calls from senior police officers and government officials will not shield offenders from prosecution.
The Command said the practice, particularly around road construction sites, diversion points and restricted routes, poses serious risks to lives and property.
SEE ALSO: Ogun Police Win Public Safety Award as Ojajuni Emerges NUJ Golden Jubilee Ambassador
In a press statement issued on Monday, November 9, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the Command was concerned about the increasing disregard for traffic regulations by motorists who deliberately drive against traffic, ignore road signs and bypass designated diversions to avoid congestion.
Adeh stressed that no individual, regardless of status, position or connections, would be exempted from the consequences of violating traffic regulations.
She disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, had directed the Command’s Motor Traffic Department (MOTOPOL) and all Divisional Traffic Officers (DTOs) to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to intensify enforcement operations.
According to the statement, the directive includes the arrest and immediate prosecution of motorists caught driving against traffic or disobeying lawful traffic instructions.
The Commissioner also warned police officers involved in the enforcement exercise against exploiting the operation to extort motorists, stressing that any officer found engaging in such misconduct would face disciplinary action in line with existing police rules and regulations.
The Command urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic signs and follow instructions from authorised traffic officers, noting that saving a few minutes through reckless driving was not worth the risk of losing lives or damaging property.
It also called on residents to remain security-conscious and report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.
The Command provided the following emergency contact numbers for security-related reports: 08032003913 and 08061581938.
NEWS
FCT Police Chief Inspects Worship Centres, Commends Residents for Peaceful Conduct
The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, has inspected security deployments at churches across the territory, urging officers to maintain professionalism and vigilance during religious activities.
The inspection was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.
Sanusi conducted the inspection on November 8, 2026, to assess the operational readiness of personnel deployed to worship centres and evaluate security arrangements for residents and worshippers.
SEE ALSO: October 1 Protests: FCT Police Call For Increased Vigilance Among Residents
The exercise followed a similar inspection of mosques across the FCT on Friday, November 6, as the Command sustained efforts to strengthen security around religious centres.
During the visits, the police commissioner charged officers to remain professional and responsive in the discharge of their duties.
He also commended residents for their peaceful and orderly conduct following mosque and church services, noting that public cooperation remained essential to maintaining security and public order across the territory.
The commissioner urged residents to continue cooperating with the police and other law enforcement agencies, remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest police station.
He further encouraged residents to utilise the Command’s emergency lines, 08032003913 and 08061581938, to report security concerns.
Adeh said the Command’s Public Relations Office remained open and accessible to members of the public for enquiries, complaints, information and other security-related matters.
The FCT Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting residents and worshippers and maintaining security across the Federal Capital Territory.
NEWS
2027: Shettima Arrives in Uyo for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development was disclosed on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
Akwa Ibom occupies a strategic position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with major federal investments expected to strengthen infrastructure and economic activities across the state.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Lafia to Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
One of the major projects is the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, which has an approximately 82.8-kilometre stretch passing through Akwa Ibom.
The project, according to the statement, “promises improved connectivity, expanded trade, greater investment and new economic opportunities for communities across the region.”
Beyond infrastructure, the administration’s interventions in education, agriculture, healthcare, youth empowerment and social protection are also designed to improve livelihoods and broaden economic participation.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) is among the initiatives highlighted, complementing Governor Umo Eno’s investments in roads, aviation, tourism and human capital development.
The statement noted that the Uyo rally provides “another opportunity to strengthen the APC’s growing political presence in the South-South and make the case for continuity in 2027.”





