Nigerians Mourn As Controversial Senator Dies

Jonathan Silas Zwingina, former Senator representing Adamawa Southern Senatorial District and a prominent but controversial figure in Nigerian politics, has passed away.

Zwingina, who served as the Director-General of the MKO Abiola Campaign Organisation during the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election, reportedly died in Abuja on Tuesday after a long battle with illness. He had recently celebrated his 70th birthday just two months prior.

Although an official family statement is yet to be released, sources close to the elder statesman confirmed the news of his death. “The advocate of democracy has gone to the great beyond,” a source remarked, paying tribute to the late politician.

Senator Zwingina, however, cut a controversial figure after his heroic role as campaign manager of Chief MKO Abiola’s Hope 93 presidential bid as he was accused of working with the military which annuled the election.

Born in Adamawa State, Zwingina was a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and made significant contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.

Beginning in 1999, he served two terms in the Senate and was Deputy Majority Leader in his second term. That term was clouded by the N50m brbe allegation raised against him and Senator Ibrahim Mantu by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. Though the duo was cleared of the allegation, their political esteem was seriously eroded by the Saga.

Zwingina was also appointed to key Senate committees, including those on Works & Housing, Internal Affairs, Information, and Economic Affairs.

In the later stages of his political career, Zwingina defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He also held the position of chairman of the Board of Trustees for Save Democracy Group Africa, an organization dedicated to promoting democratic governance across the continent.
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