Tinubu, Atiku, Sani Condole El-Rufai Over Mother’s Death

President Bola Tinubu has sent profound condolences to former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, on the loss of his beloved mother, Hajiya Umma, who passed away today in Cairo, after an illness.

In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the late matriarch of the El-Rufai family as a mother who lived a remarkable life and raised children and grandchildren who have contributed greatly to our nation.

“Nasir, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved mother, Hajiya Umma, which happened today in Cairo. As someone who had also lost an old mother, I share in your grief. I understand the depth of your loss.

Vice president, Atiku Abubakar and Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, have also sent condolences to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.

In a solemn message yesterday on his verified X account, Atiku expressed shock over the development, describing the late matriarch as a woman of faith who lived a life of dignity and service.

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. The news of the demise of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai is a shocking development,” he said, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the El-Rufai family and pray that Allah (SWT) accepts her soul and grants her Al-Janna Firdaus.”

Meanwhile, El-Rufai, has been granted temporary bail from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The development is to enable him to attend the funeral rites of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who reportedly died in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday.

An aide to the former governor confirmed that the release was approved on compassionate grounds following the family’s bereavement.

Reacting to the development, his son, Bashir El-Rufai, disclosed in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle that his father had been released from detention.

He wrote: “My beloved great legend of a father (@elrufai) is being released from his unlawful and illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that is a lame excuse of a pathetic institution. Thank you all for all the support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufais.”

He further noted that her passing on Friday, a sacred day in Islam, offered some measure of consolation to the grieving family.

Hajiya Umma El-Rufai died on Friday, according to a family announcement made by her grandson in a Facebook post.

In condolence message signed by Governor Sani, he described late Umma as a woman of rare grace, moral clarity and quiet strength.

He said, “On behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, I extend my deepest condolences to His Excellency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and the entire El-Rufai family on the passing of their beloved mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.

“Hajiya Umma El-Rufai was not only a devoted mother and matriarch, but also a woman of rare grace, moral clarity, and quiet strength. She lived a life defined by compassion, humility, and steadfast service, extending kindness to the vulnerable and dignity to all who crossed her path. In her community, she was a steady source of counsel and reconciliation, nurturing unity and embodying the enduring values of faith, patience, and generosity.

“In this hour of grief, I stand in solemn solidarity with the El-Rufai family, praying that Almighty Allah will forgive her shortcomings, accept her righteous deeds, and grant her eternal repose in Aljannatul Firdaus. May He comfort the bereaved and grant them fortitude to endure this profound loss. Ameen”