Useni, who served under the military regime of late General Sani Abacha, died on Thursday, January 23, 2025, after a protracted illness.
Retired Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Useni, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has passed away at the age of 82.
Useni, who served under the military regime of late General Sani Abacha, died on Thursday, January 23, 2025, after a protracted illness.
His death was confirmed on Thursday night in a statement issued by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.
The statement read: “The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, deeply regrets to announce to the citizens of Plateau State and all patriotic Nigerians, the passing of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lt. General Jeremiah Timbut Useni.
“The distinguished elder statesman passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025, following a protracted illness.”
“The passing of General Useni is a tremendous loss not only to his immediate family but also to the Nigerian Armed Forces, Plateau State, and the entire nation,” Bere added.
Useni’s career spanned decades of service to Nigeria, first as a senior military officer and later as a politician.
Useni, a lieutenant general in the army, served as minister responsible for the administration of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja during Sani Abacha’s military regime. In 1998, speculation arose that Useni, then minister for Abuja, would succeed General Abacha. However, he was ultimately passed over in favour of Abdulsalami Abubakar, with Useni attributing the decision to protocol considerations. Notably, Useni was considered one of military dictator Abacha’s henchmen and key allies during his rule.
After retiring from the military, Useni ventured into politics, becoming the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2003.
In 2006, he founded the Democratic People’s Party, serving as its chairman.
In 2015, he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and successfully ran for the Senate, representing Plateau South.
