An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Jesutega Onokpasa, is dead.
The lawyer and prominent political commentator, who appeared frail during his last interview on national television died on Monday.
Announcing his demise on his X account on Tuesday, a pro-APC crusader, Okezie Atani, said the prominent political commentator was survived by his wife and children.
He wrote, “We lost Barr. Jesutega Onokpasa, may his soul rest in perfect peace.”
A Facebook page named Renewed Hope United Kingdom also wrote a tribute entitled “A Farewell to a Passionate Advocate: Honouring Jesutega Onokpasa’s Legacy” to announce the late APC chieftain’s demise.
It wrote, “The passing of Barrister Jesutega Onokpasa is a profound loss to the Nigerian political and legal landscape. As a dedicated lawyer and political commentator, he was deeply engaged in shaping discourse and advocating for his beliefs.
“His contributions as a member of the APC Publicity Committee and the APC Presidential Campaign Council in 2023 reflected his commitment to his party and the nation. Onokpasa’s voice, whether in support or critique, was a vital part of Nigeria’s democratic conversation, and his absence will be deeply felt. May his family, friends, and colleagues find strength and solace in this difficult time. May His Soul Rest in Perfect Peace. Amen.”
Onokpasa, an APC’s Presidential Campaign Council member in 2023, passed away under yet-to-be-disclosed circumstances.
He also served on the APC’s Publicity Committee.
He gained national attention for his political commentary and staunch support for President Bola Tinubu, often appearing on TV to defend the administration.
One of Onokpasa’s most notable appearances came in October 2023 during a heated on-air exchange with Rufai Oseni, a journalist and presenter on Arise Television, where he fiercely defended the policies of the Nigerian presidency.
However, in a recent turn, Onokpasa publicly declared that he would no longer support Tinubu in the 2027 elections. He had cited worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and what he described as the President’s disregard for loyal party supporters.
His most appearance on National Television happened in May. In that interview, Onokpasa declared that “Tinubu has failed woefully in ruling Nigeria and may end up as a one-term president.”