Omo Omoruyi, Former Associate Of Ibrahim Babangida, Is Dead

Omo Omoruyi, the former Director General of the Center for Democratic Studies (CDS), and political scientist who advised former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida, has died. Mr. Omoruyi reportedly died earlier today in Benin City, the capital of Edo State. A family friend who sought anonymity told our correspondent, “Professor Omo Omoruyi died today after battling cancer for the past few years.”

A professor of political science at the University of Benin, Mr. Omoruyi came to national limelight when he served as the Director-General of the Center for Democratic Studies during the regime of Mr. Babangida. Known as a confidante and advisor to the former military general, Mr. Omoruyi wrote a book chronicling an account of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential polls won by the late business tycoon, Moshood Kashimawo Abiola. The book also named some of the players who, in Mr. Omoruyi’s view, played significant roles in the cancellation of the polls, an event that triggered protests against the military and led to Mr. Babangida’s exit from power.

Our source said that Mr. Omoruyi died in a local hospital in Benin City. He had received treatment abroad for his cancer, reportedly under the sponsorship of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.

A controversial player in Nigeria’s fledging democratic politics, Mr. Omoruyi had at various times flip-flopped on his political positions. After opposing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s reelection campaign in 2003, Mr. Omoruyi turned around to support the then president. He also took several contradictory positions on Mr. Obasanjo’s third term ambition.

In his last years, Mr. Omoruyi had a public parting of ways with his former friend, Mr. Babangida. As he traveled between Nigeria and the US for cancer treatment, he told the media that Mr. Babangida had failed to help him in his moment of sickness, adding that the former dictator should not come to his funeral.

In the early 1980s, the late professor served as a director for the Satellite group of newspapers owned by former Governor Jim Nwobodo of Enugu. He also wrote a column for the newspaper.