Every year, a lot of Nigerians lose their lives in car accidents, including some very popular politicians. While some of these deaths have been blamed on bad roads in Nigeria, some others have been blamed on bad driving. Whatever the case might be, Naijauto.com has compiled a list of 10 popular politicians who died in car accidents over the years.
Some notable Nigerian Politicians have lost their lives but how many do you know that died in car crashes?
Over the years, the country and the political sphere have lost some party men and women who were active to the cold hands of death. A number of the politicians have died in car crashes, some a long time ago and others much recently.
Here, NaijAuto.com has put together a list of the top 10 popular Nigerian politicians who died in car accidents.
1. Adegoke Adelabu
Adegoke Adelabu was one of the first Nigerian politicians to die in a car accident in the 50s.
Adegoke Adelabu was the leader of NCNC and a foremost politician during the defunct western region. He was a rival to the late Chief Obafemi Arowolo who was the leader of the Action Group.
This man’s death has led to 20 people died later
He died in a terrible car accident in Ijebuland on the March 25, 1958. His death led to a mass protest which left over 20 people dead in Ibadan. He was 43 when he died.
2. Dr. Joe Ukpo
He was a promising Nigerian politician and was also a civil servant. He died in a ghastly car accident after his car somersaulted severally on the road on April 15, 2018
Information gathered by Naijauto suggests that he was on his way to Okpoma/Okuku in Cross River from Abuja when he got involved in an accident owing to bad road. The accident claimed his life a few hours later.
Dr. Joe Ukpo and the scene of the tragic accidents
3. Dr. Matthew Achigbe
Dr. Matthew was the Cross River State chapter Chairman for the All Progressive Congress. He made it to our list of popular Nigerian politicians who died in car accidents. Dr. Mathew lost his life in a car crash on November 16, 2018 along Afikpo Road in Ebonyi State. He was on his way back from a church program which took place in Enugu State.
He died alongside other occupants of his Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle.
Dr. Matthew lost his life last year in a severe car crash
4. Chief James Ocholi (SAN)
Chief James was the Minister of State for Labour. He and his wife and son all lost their lives in a fatal car accident on March 16 2016. The accident occurred along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
Chief James was 55 and his son was 20 both died on the spot while his wife died later in the hospital. He was travelling with his family in his Prado Sports Utility Vehicle before the accident occurred.
Both Chief James and his son died on the spot
Reports gathered by Naijauto.com say the accident happened when the rear of his SUV got burst causing the car to skid off the road and somersaulted a couple of times before landing into the bush.
5. Sakiru Alabi Balogun
Sakiru Alabi Balogun was the candidate for the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Ikotun/Igando Local Council Area.
He lost his life in a car crash along the LASU/Isheri road in Igando area on July 21 2017. The car accident involved a truck that belonged to LAWMA, a container of four-feet tall and his Special Utility Vehicle.
He might have succeeded in the campaign without the car accident
It was said he was having his campaign perfected when the accident happened.
6. General John Shagaya (Rtd)
General John Shagaya was the former Internal Affairs Minister. According to the formeChairman of the Langtang North Local government Chief Dan Dandur, the former Internal Affairs Minister died in a car crash on February 11, 2018.
General John Shagaya died at the age of 75
He was 75 years old when he died and retired as an army general.
He was on his way back to Jos from his village when the incident happened at Amper in the Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State.
7. Alhaji Auwal Jallah
Alhaji Auwal Jallah was the All Progressive Congress (APC) spokesperson in Bauchi. The spokesperson and his driver lost their lives on Monday December 4, 2017 in a terrible car accident. The accident happened along the Azare/Gamawa road in Kano State.
This APC spokesperson died in Kano state
The ill-fated crash claimed his driver’s life on the spot while Jallah later died at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.
8. Senator Usman Albishir
Senator Usman Albishir is another popular Nigerian politician who died in a car accident. Albishir was a former member of the Senate from Yobe State. He lost his life on July 02, 2012 along the Kano-Zaria Road.
Unfortunately, this straightforward man had lost his life in a car crash
During his life time, he was said to be a nice man who played politics without bitterness.
According to several reports, he was a statesman who always stood up for the truth no matter the cost.
9. Olufunsho Martins (AVM)
Olufunsho Martins was the Air Vice-Marshal and also a party member. He and his driver lost their lives on Saturday October 28, 2017.
The car accident happened near the Waterfront of the University of Lagos on Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.
Olufunsho Martins was involved in the deadly accident two years ago
Information gathered was that he was heading for Lagos Island when his vehicle collided with another vehicle on the bridge. The SUV somersaulted couple of times before it skidded into the lagoon.
His body was recovered from inside the lagoon by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and some fishermen.
10. Hajiya Aisha Tahir
Hajiya Aisha Tahir was the Women Leader for the All Progressive Congress in Birnin Kudu Local Government of Jigawa State. She lost her life alongside six other members of the party in a terrible car crash on January 23rd, 2019. They were on their way back from campaign rallies in the state.
The scene of Hajiya Aisha Tahir car crash
The incident occurred when the women leaders vehicle rammed into a camel that was crossing the road along the Jahun-Kiyawa road adding her to the list of Nigerian politicians who died in car accidents.
