Politicians across party lines, family, friends and acquaintances on Thursday February 12, 2026, came together in Benin City, Edo State to pay their last respect to late Hon. Charles Idahosa, fondly called ‘Charlie Tempo’ and ‘Ovbie Akakasiaka’ as he was laid to rest amid outpouring of grief and emotional tributes.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that late Idahosa, who died December 20, 2025, at the age of 72 years, was at different times a chieftain of both the PDP and APC and served as Commissioner for Information in the administration of ex-Governor Lucky Igbinedion, and political adviser to former Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
In his homily at a funeral service held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Benin, the officiating minister, Rt. Revd. Peter Imasuen, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Benin, urged Nigerians to live lives of purpose and godliness, reminding the congregation that death is an inevitable call which all mortals must answer.
Bishop Imasuen declared that “those who died in Jesus Christ shall rise first,” stressing that the late Idahosa lived a legacy-worthy life and “died in Christ.”
Drawing his sermon from 1 Thessalonians 4:15–16 and John 3:3, the cleric noted that humanity’s sojourn on earth is temporary and that everyone would one day give account of his stewardship before God.
According to him, “Whatever we do on earth matters a lot. What will people remember you for—good or bad?”
He thanked God for late Charles Idahosa’s impactful life and admonished the people to embrace Christ. He emphasised that despite human imperfections, believers must strive to live in accordance with God’s will.
Bishop Imasuen also appealed to members of the Idahosa family to sustain the church within their palace.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the service, the deputy governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, described the deceased as a fearless and outspoken leader whose likes had become rare in Edo South Senatorial District.
“Charles Idahosa was a bridge builder, a resilient and formidable leader, and a unifier who brought his people together.
“We will greatly miss him,” he said, praying that the family would uphold the legacies he left behind.
The deputy governor posited that death awaits all mankind and prayed that God Almighty would grant the departed eternal rest.
Earlier, at the service of songs held on Wednesday afternoon at the same church, the officiating minister, Ven. Moses Onowhuke, in a sermon titled “Affecting Men and God’s Kingdom,” drawn from Luke 16:19–25, described the late Idahosa as a man who positively touched lives.
Onowhuke said the deceased lived in the fear of God, was selfless and committed to service to humanity, and urged the people not to abandon God or their fellow men.
Later in the night, emotions ran high during the Night of Tributes held at the deceased’s Benin residence where dignitaries from all walks of life – politics, business, media and civil society took turns to celebrate his life.
Eulogies flowed profusely with speaker after speaker sharing their experiences and encounters with the late politician who was described as a beacon of hope, a dependable ally and a man of the people.
Members of his immediate family, including his wife, Kemi, and children, also paid heartfelt tributes, recalling him as a loving father, a core family pillar and an inspiration whose absence, they said, would be deeply felt.
The late Hon. Charles Idahosa, acknowledged as philanthropist and cheerful giver, was a multiple award winner, scholar and communication expert.
He died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, December 20, 2025, shortly after attending to family members, friends, political associates and well-wishers at his Benin residence.
Significantly, on the day of his passing, the late Idahosa had gave out food items, livestock and cash gifts to visitors in the spirit of the yuletide season up till about noon—an act many described as a final reflection of his lifelong generosity.
Among dignitaries present were the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, PDP South-South National Vice Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, former Senator Ehigie Uzamere, and former House of Representatives member Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.
Others included former Speakers of the Edo State House of Assembly, Frank Okiye and Elizabeth Ativie; former Oredo local government chairman, Osaro Obazee; Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, a former federal lawmaker; prominent Benin chief, Osaro Idah, Dr. Isaiah Osifo, Agharese Idubor, immediate past Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Dr. Samson Osagie, Chris Okaeben, Rasaki Bello, a former House of Representatives member, and Anselm Ojezua, a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) among others.