
Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Timbut Useni(retd.) who served under the military regime of late General Sani Abacha died after a protracted illness.
Useni a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , right hand man of the late General Sanni and the last person to see him alive died on Thursday 23, January 2025 at the age of 82.
His death was confirmed on Thursday night in a statement issued by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.
Useni’s career spanned decades of service to Nigeria, first as a senior military officer and later as a politician.
Useni, a lieutenant general in the army, served as minister responsible for the administration of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja during Sani Abacha’s military regime.
In 1998, speculation arose that Useni, then minister for Abuja, would succeed General Abacha. However, he was ultimately passed over in favour of Abdulsalami Abubakar, with Useni attributing the decision to protocol considerations. Notably, Useni was considered one of military dictator Abacha’s henchmen and key allies during his rule.
After retiring from the military, Useni ventured into politics, becoming the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2003.
In 2006, he founded the Democratic People’s Party, serving as its chairman.
In 2015, he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and successfully ran for the Senate, representing Plateau South.