PICTORIAL: Atiku, Obi, Emir Sanusi II, Dangote, Others Present At El-Rufai Mother’s Funeral In Abuja

Prominent Nigerian political and business figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, on Sunday attended the Janazah (Islamic funeral prayers) for Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mother of the immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.

The funeral prayer was held at the National Mosque Abuja, drawing a large gathering of dignitaries from across the country.

Others in attendance were the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote; former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Also present were Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, Borno State governor Babagana Zulum, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, former Zamfara State governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, among others.

Videos and photographs circulating on social media showed Peter Obi and other dignitaries earlier arriving at the mosque, where they joined mourners and participated in the funeral rites.

In a post shared via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku Abubakar confirmed his attendance, writing, “Today, I joined family, friends and associates of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and the extended El-Rufai family at the Janazah (funeral prayer) of the matriarch of the family, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.

“May God continue to comfort the family and all who mourn her. And may Allah grant her Aljannah Firdaus. Amin.”

LEADERSHIP reports that Hajiya Umma El-Rufai passed away on Friday in Cairo, Egypt, where she had been receiving treatment for an age-related illness.

Earlier, several notable Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu, Shehu Sani, and Nuhu Ribadu, had paid tributes to the deceased, describing her as a devoted matriarch whose life impacted many.

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