- Gen. Jeremiah Useni was the military governor of the defunct Bendel state
- He also served as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister in the late 90s
- He died on January 23, 2025, almost a decade after he contested and won Senatorial seat of Plateau South in 2015.
For the people of Plateau state, Nigeria, they have indeed lost a reputable elder statesman in the person Lt. General Jeremiah Timbut Useni.
The cold hand of death got hold of him after a protracted illness on January 23, 2025 at the age of 81.
His background
Useni was born in Langtang, Northern Nigeria in the present Plateau state on 16 February 1943.
Military service
Jeremiah Useni, known as Jerry Boy by his peers came to national limelight in Nigeria when he was appointed Military Governor of Nigeria’s defunct Bendel state in January 1984.
However, following the political uncertainty in the country, in 1998, Useni then minister for the capital territory of Abuja, was rumored as a successor to General Sani Abacha. Useni stated that the decision to appoint Abdulsalami Abubakar instead was based on protocol.
In any case, ten years later, Useni insisted Abacha died a natural death, contrary to rumors that he died after eating a poisoned apple.
He retired as a Lieutenant General in the Nigerian Army in 1998. He served as minister responsible for the administration of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja under the Sani Abacha military junta. He served Nigeria in various capacities such as Minister for Transport and Quarter-Master General of the Nigeria Army.
Indeed, he almost became Nigeria’s Head of State on the death of maximum Military Ruler, General Sani Abacha, being the most senior Army Officer at the time. But that privilege was conceded to then Chief of Defence Staff, General Abdulsalmi Abubakar who was on the brink of being retired by Abacha, if Abacha had not died suddenly. At the time, Useni, a bosom friend of Abacha, was Minister of the FCT.
It was not all rosy for him in the Army. Useni while in service, lost his beloved wife, Julie, and his last son in the ill-fated defunct EAS plane crash in Jos, Plateau State.
Away from that personal tragedy, he also came under the very false suspicion of being in the know of how/why Abacha died because both of them were allegedly together in the couple of hours leading to Abacha’s death.
But he overcame the personal tragedy and false allegation, and on retirement, plunged head-on into Politics.
Political career
In August 2001, he was appointed head of a delegation from the Arewa Consultative Forum to meet and discuss common goals with Northern state governors and other leaders. In 2003, he was Deputy National Chairman, North for the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
However, in November 2004, he was locked in an internal ANPP struggle with 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 saying the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa was a national sacrifice.
He was succeeded by Biodun Ogunbiyi, who criticized Useni’s poor leadership, resulting in failure to win any seats in the Senate or House of Representatives in the April 2007 elections.
Nevertheless, Jerry Boy ran for election as Senator for Plateau South in April 2011 on the DPP platform, but was defeated by Victor Lar of the PDP.
Not ready to give up, he later on ran for election as Senator for Plateau South In 2015 under the People’s Democratic Party which he won.
Governorship run
Jeremiah Useni wanted to continue his political advancement and so, in October 2018, Jeremiah Useni won the party primaries in the PDP to run for Office Of The Governor Of Plateau state under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party. He lost in the general election to incumbent Simon Lalong who polled 595, 582 votes to Useni’s 546, 813.
Useni challenged the election of Simon Lalong at the plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on the ground that Lalong was ineligible to assume the position of Governor, having submitted a different certificate to the electoral umpire (INEC) bearing different name to that of the present Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong.
The panel of three justices Tribunal led by Justice Halima Salami struck out Useni’s petition affirming the election of Lalong for lack of substantial evidence to prove the discrepancy of names in the certificate Lalong submitted to INEC.
Useni appealed the judgement of the tribunal at both Appeal Court and the Supreme Court but lost. The disappointing judgment from the courts ended his 2019 ambition to rule Plateau State.
Again, Useni also served as Deputy Chairman of one of the significant parties in Nigeria, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP. He was elected Senator for the Plateau South constituency of Plateau State, Nigeria in the March 2015 national elections. Useni was running on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform.
Jeremiah Useni died on January 23, 2025 after what was reported to be a lost battle with protracted illness.
Governor Okpebholo, others pay tribute late Useni
The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has expressed his condolences to the family of the late General Jeremiah Useni, the former military administrator of the defunct Bendel State.
In a press statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary on Friday, Senator Okpebholo described Useni’s passing as a significant loss to the people and government of Edo State.
He praised the late Useni, also a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, as a true statesman who championed educational reforms and oversaw the development of critical infrastructure.
The statement read, “The demise of the former military administrator of the defunct Bendel State, General Jeremiah Useni (retd), is a big loss to the people and government of Edo State. 0:00
“The late Army General served Bendel State (now Edo and Delta States) with distinction and dedication, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of countless citizens.
“General Useni was a true statesman who championed education reforms, oversaw the development of crucial infrastructure, and was a tireless advocate for justice.
“He will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to public service, his kind spirit, optimism, and his dedication to the people of Bendel State (now Edo and Delta States).
“During his time in office, General Useni guided our people through challenging times, laid the foundation for our future prosperity, and inspired a generation of public servants.
“His leadership and vision will be deeply missed. On behalf of the people and government of Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo extends his deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
In the same vein, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of one of his predecessors, Lt. General Jeremiah Timbut Useni, describing his death as “the fall of one of the biggest trees in the forest of Nigeria.”
In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Wike eulogized the late Army General for his remarkable contributions to the development of the FCT during his tenure as Minister from 1993 to 1998.
Wike said “From joining the Army at the age of 14, to becoming the Military Governor of the defunct Bendel State, Minister of Transport, Quarter-Master General of the Nigeria Army, FCT Minister and Senator for the Plateau South of Plateau State, Lt. General Jeremiah Timbut Useni, can be said to be among those Nigerians who saw it all and lived a life of service to the country.
“He was a jolly good fellow, fondly called ‘Jerry Boy,’ who took service to the people as his number one priority.
“Nigerians, especially the Tarok people of Plateau State will never forget the late General for epitomising great virtues.
“He will be sorely missed by the entire people of Plateau State, Nigerian Armed Forces and Nigerians in general.
“On behalf of myself and residents of the FCT, I mourn the departure of General Jeremiah Timbut Oseni, a great man, a Patriot, a fine military officer, a Politician, a Peacemaker and a man of faith in the Almighty God.
“May his soul rest in peace.”
