Stephen Ebihor, widely known as the musician Papi Urhobo, has passed away on September 8 following an illness. The cultural platform Urhobo Worldwide announced his death via an Instagram statement on Tuesday, describing him as a cherished entertainer, colleague, and friend. While confirming the loss, the organization urged the public, fans, and colleagues to withhold sharing unverified news or premature burial details until the family releases an official statement. They also expressed gratitude for past support and requested prayers for his grieving wife and children.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Prior to his passing, Ebihor had openly discussed his medical struggles stemming from an accident that caused a cracked bone and severely impaired his mobility, prompting him to seek financial help from Nigerians for corrective surgery. He later expressed gratitude to those who contributed funds toward his medical care. Ebihor earned broad acclaim across the Nigerian music scene for his memorable vocal contribution to “Ogologomma,” a standout track from Timaya’s 2007 debut studio album, True Story, which played a key role in both artists’ early industry success. He is survived by his wife and children, with official funeral arrangements pending an announcement from his family.

Nigeria’s political trajectory features multiple historical instances where presidents, governors, ministers, and legislators passed away prior to finishing their terms, with causes ranging from prolonged illnesses and accidents to political and military violence. Within the Fourth Republic, the most prominent presidential example is Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, whose 2010 death led to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan stepping into the presidency. Similarly, state-level transitions occurred when governors like Mamman Bello Ali, Patrick Yakowa, and Rotimi Akeredolu died, causing their respective deputies to assume office. Legislative vacancies caused by members dying in office have also consistently forced the Independent National Electoral Commission to organize by-elections. This compiled overview outlines notable Nigerian civilian politicians who passed away while actively holding public office up to September 2026.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

1. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

• Role: Prime Minister

• Details: As Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister, he led the government starting from independence in 1960 and through the republic transition in 1963, until his tenure ended abruptly when he was killed during the nation’s first military coup on January 15, 1966.

2. Ahmadu Bello

• Role: Premier of Northern Region

• Details: A dominant First Republic political figure and Northern People’s Congress leader, the Sardauna of Sokoto was assassinated at his official Kaduna residence during the January 15, 1966 coup.

3. Samuel Ladoke Akintola

• Role: Premier of Western Region

• Details: Amid intense regional political crises during the final years of the First Republic, Akintola was assassinated in Ibadan on January 15, 1966, during the military coup.

4. Shehu Kangiwa

• Role: Governor of Sokoto State

• Details: Elected under the National Party of Nigeria during the Second Republic in October 1979, his administration was cut short on November 17, 1981, when he suffered fatal injuries from a polo tournament horse fall in Kaduna, after which his deputy, Garba Nadama, succeeded him.

5. Bola Ige

• Role: Attorney-General and Minister of Justice

• Details: Having previously served as Minister of Power and Steel, he was serving as the nation’s chief law officer when he was assassinated at his Bodija, Ibadan home on December 23, 2001—a crime whose perpetrators have not been conclusively brought to justice.

6. Mamman Bello Ali

• Role: Governor of Yobe State

• Details: The former Yobe South senator elected in 2007 on the ANPP platform died on January 26, 2009, from reported leukaemia while receiving medical care in the US, leading to his deputy, Ibrahim Gaidam, taking over.

7. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua

• Role: President of Nigeria

• Details: The sole Fourth Republic president to pass away in office, his tenure from May 2007 was heavily impacted by health issues, leading the National Assembly to empower Goodluck Jonathan as acting president before Yar’Adua’s death on May 5, 2010, at age 58.

8. Gyang Dantong

• Role: Senator, Plateau North

• Details: First elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011, he died on July 8, 2012, during an attack at a mass burial ceremony in Plateau State that also claimed the life of state lawmaker Gyang Fulani.

9. Patrick Yakowa

• Role: Governor of Kaduna State

• Details: Having succeeded Namadi Sambo in 2010 and subsequently winning election in his own right, his tenure ended tragically on December 15, 2012, in a Bayelsa State Navy helicopter crash alongside former NSA Andrew Owoye Azazi and others, paving the way for deputy Mukhtar Ramalan Yero to take office.

10. Pius Ewherido

• Role: Senator, Delta Central

• Details: Elected in 2011 on the Democratic People’s Party platform and serving as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, he died following a brief illness at the National Hospital in Abuja on June 30, 2013.

11. Dahiru Awaisu Kuta

• Role: Senator, Niger East

• Details: A long-serving senator since 2007 who chaired the Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs, he died in June 2014 during medical treatment, marking the third senatorial loss for the Seventh Senate.

12. Isiaka Adeleke

• Role: Senator, Osun West

• Details: The historic first civilian governor of Osun State was serving his second stint in the Senate when he died on April 23, 2017, triggering a by-election victory for his younger brother, Ademola Adeleke.

13. Mustapha Bukar

• Role: Senator, Katsina North

• Details: The APC politician and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market passed away while still in office on April 4, 2018.

14. Umar Buba Jibril

• Role: House of Representatives Deputy Leader

• Details: Representing Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency and serving as Deputy Majority Leader, he passed away in Abuja on March 30, 2018, at age 58 after a prolonged illness.

15. Benjamin Uwajumogu

• Role: Senator, Imo North

• Details: A former Imo State House of Assembly Speaker, his death on December 18, 2019, marked the initial loss recorded within the Ninth Senate in a brief span.

16. Ignatius Longjan

• Role: Senator, Plateau South

• Details: The former Plateau Deputy Governor who entered the Senate in 2019 passed away on February 10, 2020, at age 75 following a prolonged illness.

17. Rose Oko

• Role: Senator, Cross River North

• Details: Serving her second term and chairing the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, she passed away on March 23, 2020, at a UK medical facility.

18. Bayo Osinowo

• Role: Senator, Lagos East

• Details: Popularly called Pepperito and former Lagos State House of Assembly member, the Senate Committee on Industries chairman died on June 15, 2020.

19. Haruna Maitala

• Role: House of Representatives

• Details: Representing Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, he tragically died in an Abuja-to-Jos road accident on April 2, 2021, alongside his son, driver, and security aide.

20. Ossy Prestige

• Role: House of Representatives

• Details: The APGA politician serving his second term for Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency died in February 2021 after receiving medical treatment abroad.

21. Jude Ise-Idehen

• Role: House of Representatives

• Details: The 52-year-old PDP lawmaker representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency passed away on July 1, 2022, shortly after securing his party’s ticket for the 2023 elections.

22. Rotimi Akeredolu

• Role: Governor of Ondo State

• Details: The former Nigerian Bar Association President elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020 passed away on December 27, 2023, following extended health challenges, making him the fourth civilian governor to die in office and leading to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, being sworn in.

23. Isa Dogonyaro

• Role: House of Representatives

• Details: The 46-year-old APC lawmaker representing Babura/Garki Federal Constituency and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control died in Abuja on May 10, 2024, after a brief illness.

24. Olaide Akinremi

• Role: House of Representatives

• Details: Popularly known as Jagaban and serving his second term for Ibadan North Federal Constituency, the Science Research Institutes committee chair died on July 10, 2024.

25. Ekene Abubakar Adams

• Role: House of Representatives

• Details: A first-term Labour Party lawmaker representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and House Sports Committee chair passed away on July 16, 2024.

26. Ifeanyi Ubah

• Role: Senator, Anambra South

• Details: The prominent businessman, politician, and two-term senator passed away in London in July 2024 while actively holding his seat.

27. Adewunmi Onanuga

• Role: Deputy Chief Whip, House of Representatives

• Details: Representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, she passed away on January 15, 2025, after a brief illness at the age of 59.

28. Barinada Mpigi

• Role: Senator, Rivers South-East

• Details: Chairing the Senate Committee on Works and having spent over a decade in the National Assembly, he passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 64.

29. Muhammad Danjuma Hassan

• Role: House of Representatives

• Details: The first-term lawmaker and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary representing Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency died on April 10, 2026, at age 66.

30. Yaya Bauchi Tongo

• Role: House of Representatives

• Details: Serving the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency and heading the Nigeria–United Arab Emirates Parliamentary Friendship Group, he passed away in an Abuja hospital following a brief illness on June 12, 2026.

Gabriel Jesus has disclosed that Arsenal abruptly segregated him from first-team training just prior to sealing an $\text{£}8.6$ million transfer to Barcelona, which concluded his four-year tenure with the Gunners. Having participated fully in pre-season routines and featured in all four friendly fixtures—albeit with limited minutes—the Brazilian forward was left out of the squad for the opening two matches of the campaign as transfer rumors swirled. Commenting on the sudden shift during an interview with SportyTV, as highlighted by the Daily Mail, Jesus noted that despite anticipating a lack of opportunities, management gave him no direct warning before isolating him from the main group.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He maintained his professionalism by continuing to push himself to stay fit during those final demanding days. Negotiations involving Barcelona president Joan Laporta, sporting director Deco, and his representatives moved rapidly, leading Jesus to accept the move immediately. His departure closes a chapter that began with his 2022 arrival from Manchester City, where he spent five years. Despite battling a major cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of 2025, he returned to help Arsenal secure a Premier League title. Across four seasons, Jesus made 123 appearances, registering 32 goals and 22 assists.

Reflecting on the transfer, manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the profound impact Jesus had on the club’s culture since his arrival. Highlighting the shift in energy and belief the striker introduced, Arteta wished him well at Camp Nou. Jesus has already commenced his new journey, making his official debut for Barcelona by playing the final ten minutes of a dominant 5-0 La Liga victory over Valencia on Sunday.