The legal community and political sphere are mourning the loss of Jesutega Onokpasa, a lawyer and well-known political commentator.
News of his passing was shared on Tuesday by Okezie J. Atañi, a vocal supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), via his social media account. The circumstances surrounding his death have not yet been revealed.
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Onokpasa was a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in 2023, contributing his expertise to the Publicity Committee. He became a familiar face on national television, recognized for his political analysis and strong advocacy for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He notably defended the Nigerian presidency’s policies in a spirited on-air debate with Rufai Oseni, a journalist and Arise Television presenter, in October 2023.
However, Onokpasa recently announced a shift in his political stance, stating that he would no longer support Tinubu in the 2027 elections, citing growing insecurity, economic difficulties, and what he perceived as the President’s neglect of loyal party members.
His last 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.
”Following the initial announcement, news of Onokpasa’s death spread quickly among other pro-APC figures on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
Theo Abu, a commentator known for his pro-APC views on X, simply posted: “Jesutega Onokpasa. Rest in Peace.”
Emmanuel Umeh wrote, “Jesutega Onokpasa is dead. I knew he wasn’t feeling too well, after his last interview. My condolences to his family.”
Akin Olaoye, a political commentator and business owner, added, “Jesutega Onokpasa! Rest in peace elder……I enjoyed watching your spats on TV with Rufai and Reuben Abati. Praying for his friends & family!”
