A former member of the House of Representatives who represented the Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, is dead.

The politician, who was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, was said to have passed away on Wednesday evening while watching the AFCON semi-finals match between Nigeria and South Africa.

A source close to the politician said, “Cairo Ojougboh, a medical doctor died during the Nigeria vs.South Africa match.

“The incident happened when the penalty was awarded against Nigeria. Dr Ojougboh was said to have shouted and slumped due to massive heart attack when SA scored.”

However, the Publicity Secretary of Agbor Community Union, Mr Augustine Ekamagule, confirmed the death of the famous Delta politician.

He said, “According to the President General of the Agbor Community Union, Chief Laurence Onyeche, Ojougboh died in Abuja while watching the football match of Nigeria vs South Africa.

“He said a member of Ojougboh family called him around 3am. on Thursday, informing him that Cairo Ojougboh had passed away.

“The family member said Ojougboh was watching the match and immediately South Africa scored the goal, he shouted and slumped.

“All efforts to revive him were not fruitful. It was around that 3am. the family announced his death.”

Onyeche said with the death of Ojougboh, Agbor has lost a voice in Nigerian politics, describing him as the number one politician in Agbor until his death.

“On behalf of the PG and members of Agbor Community Union where the Ojougboh belongs, we sympathise with the family.

“Our PG has asked me to issue a statement and he described Ojougboh as a fearless politician who did not only establish himself at the local level but at the national level,” he added.

Friends and political associates have been mourning the late politician on social media.

President Bola Tinubu and the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, have issued public statement on the incident.

Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, condoled with the Ojougboh family, the government, and the people of Delta State over the loss.

“It is with a heavy heart that President Bola Tinubu receives the news of the passing of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, former Executive Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, who died on Wednesday.

“While praying for the peaceful repose of the departed, President Tinubu comforts his family and urges them to find strength and hope in God Almighty, who presides over the affairs of men, as well as in the cherished memories and legacy of the late APC chieftain,” the statement signed by Ngelale read.

Also, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his condolences over the passing of Ojougboh.

In a post on his verified X account, Atiku wrote, “The sudden passing of my close friend, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, deeply saddens me. His love for our country was profound. Cairo was a shining example of patriotism; his dedication to Nigeria was unwavering, and his departure is a personal loss that leaves a void in my heart.

“As we mourn, let us remember the passion and zeal for Nigeria that defined his life. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”