Former Senate majority leader Jonathan Zwingina will be buried on October 22 in his hometown of Guyuk, Adamawa State after a funeral service.
The family announced this in a statement signed on their behalf by former Senate President Ken Nnamani and former minister of information Labaran Maku-led funeral committee.
Zwingina died on October 3, 2024, aged 70.
He was the director-general of the Moshood Abiola campaign organisation during the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
According to the statement, the funeral rites will commence in Abuja on Wednesday evening with a commendation service at First Baptist Church, Garki.
“This will be followed by a Night of Tributes on Thursday at the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Asokoro. On 21 October, there will be a Night of Commendations and Tributes in Yola,” said the statement.
The burial committee, in the statement, highlighted Zwingina’s contributions to Nigeria’s development, which spanned several sectors of the nation’s life.
“He was a scholar, technocrat, public servant, and politician of high repute. He left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.
“He was a leading voice in the struggle for democracy and was the Director-General of the late MKO Abiola’s Hope ‘93 Campaign Organisation during the iconic June 12, 1993, presidential election. His intellectual depth, eloquence, and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals resonated deeply with Nigerians.
“Following the return to democratic rule, Sen (Dr) Zwingina was elected twice to represent the good people of the Southern Senatorial District of Adamawa State. During his time in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from 1999 to 2007, he served as the Senate Deputy Majority Leader of the 4th Assembly.
“Due to his extensive experience in public service, he was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works and Housing. He also served as a member of Senate Committees on Information; Establishment; Internal Affairs; Special Projects; Privatisation and Economic Affairs.
“In the Senate, he was a vocal advocate of due process and a promoter of national development priorities, with particular emphasis on policy, good governance, and the oversight role of the parliament in holding the government accountable to the people.
“Before his time in the National Assembly, Sen (Dr) Zwingina played a pivotal role in shaping national discourse as a Director of the Mass Mobilisation for Social Justice, Self-Reliance, and Economic Recovery Programme during President Ibrahim Babangida’s military administration,” the statement said.
