Martins-Kuye reportedly died on Sunday morning at Ago-Iwoye, his hometown, in Ogun state. He was 78.

“It was a painful loss to us, but, we give glory to God for the impactful life that he lived while he was alive because he touched the lives of many people”, one of his sons, Bolaji, said.

The politician was first elected into public office as a senator in the Third Republic.

He was a member of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) in the twilight of the regime of Sani Abacha, former military ruler and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ogun gubernatorial poll in 1999.

Martins-Kuye went on to serve as finance minister in the Obasanjo administration until 2003.

The self-acclaimed godfather of Ogun politics and chartered accountant later served as minister of commerce and industry while ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was completing the remainder of the term of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua who died in office.

He held the position between 2010 and 2011.

The politician will be buried according to Islamic rites.

He is survived by two wives and children