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.