Jeremiah Useni, a former FCT minister, is dead.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang confirmed this in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Mutfwang said Mr Useni, who also represented Plateau South senatorial district between 2015 and 2019, died at 82.

The governor also confirmed that the former FCT minister under Gen Sani Abacha’s dictatorship died on Thursday after a protracted illness.

Mr Mutfwang, who described Mr Useni’s demise as a huge loss to Plateau, urged his immediate family and residents of the state in general to take solace in God.

“On behalf of my family, the government, and the peace-loving people of Plateau, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the President, the Armed Forces and Tarok nation over the loss of this distinguished elder statesman.

“I wish to also extend my condolences to his immediate family and relations. I call on them to take solace in God in this trying time,” the Plateau governor said.

The deceased also served as minister of transport and quarter-master general of the Nigerian Army, among many other appointments during his military career.

After retirement, Mr Useni ventured into politics, serving as deputy chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party and senator.

He was also the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Plateau during the 2019 election.

(NAN)