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Breaking: General JT Useni Dies In France At 82
A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, General Jeremiah Timbut Useni (rtd), has passed away.
Useni died on Friday in France after being flown there on Wednesday.
Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, expresses profound regret in announcing to the state’s citizens and all patriotic Nigerians the passing of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lieutenant General Jeremiah Timbut Useni.
According to a statement issued in Jos by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Mr Gyang Bere, the distinguished elder statesman passed away on Thursday, 23 January 2025, at the age of 82, following a protracted illness.
Governor Mutfwang described General Useni’s death as a significant loss to his immediate family, the Nigerian Armed Forces, Plateau State, and the entire nation.
The Governor highlighted General Useni’s exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to service, which left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s security and political landscape. He noted that General Useni’s tireless efforts to promote peace and security, particularly in Northern Nigeria and Plateau State, will be forever remembered.
He recounted the illustrious career of the late General, who served Nigeria with distinction in various capacities, including as Minister of Transport, Quarter-Master General of the Nigerian Army, and Minister of the FCT.
The statement revealed that General Useni transitioned into politics after retiring from the military, where he continued his service to the nation. He served as Deputy Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and was elected Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District in 2015 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Mutfwang commended General Useni’s life of selfless service and noted his profound contributions to the military, politics, and community. He emphasised that the General’s legacy of compassion, kindness, generosity, and dedication to the well-being of others will endure in the lives of those he impacted.
“On behalf of my family, the government, and the peace-loving people of Plateau State, I extend my deepest sympathies to the President, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the immediate family, and all those mourning the loss of this distinguished elder statesman,” stated Governor Mutfwang.
He prayed that God grants the family, Plateau State, and the nation the strength and fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. He also sought God’s presence to comfort and provide solace in the days ahead.
Jeremiah Timbut Useni (born 16 February 1943) was a retired Nigerian Army lieutenant general who served as the minister responsible for administering the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, under the Sani Abacha military junta. He served Nigeria in various capacities, including as Minister for Transport and Quarter-Master General of the Nigerian Army. Useni also served as Deputy Chairman of one of the major parties in Nigeria, the All Nigeria Peoples Party. He was elected Senator for the Plateau South constituency of Plateau State, Nigeria, in the March 2015 national elections, running on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform.
Useni came to national prominence in Nigeria when he was appointed Military Governor of the now-defunct Bendel State in January 1984. In 1998, Useni, then Minister for the Capital Territory of Abuja, was rumoured to be a successor to General Sani Abacha.
Useni stated that the appointment of Abdulsalami Abubakar instead was based on protocol. Ten years later, Useni insisted that Abacha died a natural death, contrary to rumours suggesting he perished after consuming a poisoned apple.
In April 2008, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Aliyu Modibbo Umar, attributed issues with the Abuja Master Plan to Useni’s administration as a minister under the Abacha military government.
In August 2001, he was appointed head of a delegation from the Arewa Consultative Forum to engage with northern state governors and other leaders to discuss common goals.
In 2003, he was Deputy National Chairman North for the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). In November 2004, he became embroiled in an internal struggle within the ANPP against Chief Donald Etiebet, the National Chairman.
In May 2006, he left the ANPP to become chairman of a new party, the Democratic People’s Party, taking with him other members of the progressive wing of the ANPP. However, he was suspended indefinitely in December 2008 for stating that the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa was a national sacrifice. He was succeeded by Biodun Ogunbiyi, who criticised Useni’s poor leadership, as the party failed to win any seats in the Senate or House of Representatives in the April 2007 elections. Useni contested for election as Senator for Plateau South in April 2011 on the DPP platform but was defeated by Victor Lar of the PDP.
He later ran for election as Senator for Plateau South in 2015 under the People’s Democratic Party, which he won.
In October 2018, Jeremiah Useni won the party primaries in the PDP to run for the office of governor of Plateau State. He lost in the general election to incumbent Simon Lalong, who received 595,582 votes compared to Useni’s 546,813.
Useni challenged Simon Lalong’s election at the Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, arguing that Lalong was ineligible to serve as Governor. Lalong had submitted a certificate to the electoral authority (INEC) bearing a different name from that of the current Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong.
The three-member panel tribunal, led by Justice Halima Salami, dismissed Useni’s petition, affirming Lalong’s election due to a lack of substantial evidence regarding the name discrepancy on the certificate submitted to INEC.
Useni appealed the tribunal’s judgement at both the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court but was unsuccessful. The disappointing rulings from the courts concluded his 2019 ambition to govern Plateau State.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.