SAN FRANCISCO, October 13, (THEWILL) – Professor Omo Omoruyi, a political scientist and a former Director-General of the Centre for Democratic Studies died on Sunday in a local hospital in Benin City, Edo State, according to a source familiar with the development.
Omoruyi had battled prostate cancer for years and had just returned to Benin in September after undergoing further treatment abroad. He was earlier treated at the Boston Medical Centre in the state of Massachusetts, USA.
The deceased political strategist shot into limelight during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, one of Nigeria’s most notorious dictators, credited with the institutionalization of corruption and the systematic decay of the Nigerian state.
He was a policy planner who pioneered many policies that led to the delivery of fairly credible elections between 1990 and 93 under a two party system which he championed.
THEWILL recalls that an attempt was made to assassinate Professor Omoruyi in Benin City on February 3, 1994 by unknown assassins believed to be working for the state under the General Sani Abacha regime because of his articles which criticized the regime and the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by late Moshood Abiola.
His last major outing politically was his role as Director-General of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation.
There has been no statement from his family or the Edo State Government.
