The fact that these people will not witness or participate in the 2023 general elections is something to ponder.
This is because their contributions to and influence over the electioneering process will, in some way, determine who becomes Nigeria’s next president.
1. Former President Ernest Sonekan
Nigeria lost one of its former presidents, who was also the head of the National Interim Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan, on Tuesday, January 11, at the age of 85.
2. Arthur Nzeribe
A well-known politician and businessman, Arthur Nzeribe passed on at the age of 83 on Sunday, May 8, in Oguta, Imo state.
Although infamous for his effort to stop the June 12, 1993, presidential election, the accomplished lawyer left indelible marks in terms of his political wizardry.
3. Vincent Ogbulafor
Vincent Ogbulafor, a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), died on Thursday, October 6, in Canada at the age of 73.
A native of Olokoro, Umuahia South local government of Abia state, Ogbulafor in his lifetime had declared that the opposition political party would uninterruptedly rule Nigeria for 40 years.
4. Chief Mbazulike Amechi
Chief Mbazulike Amechi, a former First Republic minister of aviation and elder statesman of southeastern origin, died on Tuesday, November 1, at the age of 93 years.The nonagenarian nicknamed The Boy Is Good was known and respected for seeking peace in Nigeria.
Amechi led a delegation of Igbo elders to President Muhammadu Buhari to plead for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
5. Paul Unongo
Chief Paul Iorpuu Unongo, the former leader of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) died on Tuesday, November 29, at the age of 87.
The former minister of power and steel died in Jos, Plateau capital.
In recognition of his selfless service to Nigeria, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo described Unongo at death as an “apostle of excellence.”
6. Demola Seriki
Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain, Demola Seriki died at the age of 63 on Tuesday, November 15, in the Spanish capital, Madrid.
Seriki was a Lagos politician and public administrator who until his death enjoyed the accreditation of Nigeria’s permanent envoy to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
7. Alaafin of Oyo
A first-class monarch, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, died on Friday, April 22, at the age of 83.
The southwest monarch passed on at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti, having reigned on the throne for more than half a century.
8. Olubadan
His Royal Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji died at the age of 93 on Sunday, January 2.
The monarch died on January 2, 2022, as the 41st traditional ruler of the ancient city of Ibadan at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo state.