Akwashiki’s death a devastating loss to Nigeria – Adebayo

…leaders across party lines paid tributes to the late senator

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has described the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki as a devastating loss to Nigeria, Nasarawa State, and the opposition.

Adebayo made the remark on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while receiving the remains of the late lawmaker alongside party leaders across political divides and members of the Akwashiki family.

Senator Akwashiki, 52, represented Nasarawa North Senatorial District in the National Assembly. He died on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at a hospital in India.

Speaking at the solemn reception, the former SDP standard bearer said the senator’s death was not only a setback for the party but also a serious loss to the quality of legislation and political discourse in the country. He described Akwashiki as one of the strongest voices within both the SDP and the National Assembly.

Adebayo noted that the presence of leaders across party lines, including former governors and senior legislators, reflected the late senator’s influence beyond partisan politics. He prayed for the repose of Akwashiki’s soul and asked God to grant his family, the Eggon Nation, Nasarawa State, and Nigerians the fortitude to bear the loss.

Also speaking, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau described the senator’s death as a great loss to the state and the nation, noting that his contributions to good governance and development were outstanding.

Jatau recalled serving with Akwashiki in the state legislature between 2011 and 2015, adding that the late lawmaker later returned to the House as Deputy Speaker.

He also noted that Akwashiki made history as the first person from the Nasarawa North Senatorial Zone to be elected twice to the Senate, describing him as a dedicated and performing legislator.

According to the Speaker, the loss was particularly painful for young people who looked up to the late senator as a mentor and leader.

Eulogising Akwashiki, the Acting National Chairman of the SDP, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, said the senator’s death had created an irreparable loss for the party, Nasarawa State, and the nation. He described the late lawmaker as a committed party man and a strong pillar of Nigeria’s democracy.

Gombe added that the presence of political leaders from different parties at the ceremony underscored the senator’s cross-party appeal, stressing that his death was a national loss.

Prominent figures at the event included the Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Hon. Jonathan Gbefwi-Gaza, federal and state lawmakers, SDP leaders, as well as community and traditional leaders from the Eggon Nation.

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The remains of the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki were later deposited at the National Hospital, Abuja.