National Assembly Mourns: 10 Federal Lawmakers Lost to Health-Related Challenges Within Three Years

A look at the 10 Nigerian federal lawmakers who died between 2023 and 2026, and expert advice on managing the lethal stress of governance.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 11:03 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP Media Group

A Developing Crisis of Mortality in the 10th Assembly

The Nigerian federal legislature is facing a somber milestone as data reveals the passing of 10 serving lawmakers in less than three years. Spanning from the lead-up to the 10th Assembly in 2023 to the first quarter of 2026, the fatalities have claimed four members of the Senate and six from the House of Representatives. While the deaths occurred both locally and in specialist hospitals abroad—including the United Kingdom and India—the consistent theme across these losses has been a struggle with health-related issues. This trend has sparked a national conversation regarding the physical toll of high-stakes governance and the medical preparedness of the nation’s representatives.

The Senate: High-Profile Losses from Anambra to Rivers

The Senate has seen the departure of several influential figures, beginning with the high-profile passing of Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah in July 2024. Ubah, a business mogul representing Anambra South, died in the UK shortly after a high-stakes political defection to the APC. The Senate further mourned Senator Okey Ezea of Enugu North in November 2025 and Senator Godiya Akwashiki of Nasarawa North, who passed away in an Indian hospital on the final day of 2025. Most recently, in February 2026, the Rivers South-East Senatorial District lost Senator Barinada Mpigi to a brief illness, marking a significant loss for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The House of Representatives: A Toll on Emerging Leaders

The House of Representatives has experienced a particularly heavy toll, often claiming younger lawmakers at the start of their legislative careers. Hon. Ismaila Maihanci passed away at just 36 years old, only two months after his 2023 election victory. Similarly, Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams, a dedicated sports administrator from Kaduna, died at the age of 39 in 2024. The House also lost experienced hands such as Deputy Chief Whip Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga in early 2025 and the widely respected "Jagaban" of Ibadan North, Hon. Musiliudeen Akinremi. These losses have necessitated several rounds of by-elections and have frequently disrupted the committee leadership structures within the lower chamber.