President Bola Tinubu, governors and other prominent Nigerians have mourned the passing of Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and former speaker of the House of Representatives, Gali Umar Na’abba, both of whom died yesterday.
Akeredolu passed away at the age of 67 while Na’Abba, the second speaker of the House of Representatives in the 4th Republic, also died in Abuja yesterday at the age of 65 and was buried according to Islamic rites.
In a personal statement yesterday, Tinubu described Akeredolu as a “fearless brother, confidant, political soulmate,” and a tireless advocate for justice and security in Nigeria.
He highlighted Akeredolu’s accomplishments as governor, including building roads, schools and healthcare facilities across Ondo State.
Also, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed deep sadness over the passing of Akeredolu.
In a condolence message, NGF chairman and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described Akeredolu as a “voice of reason” whose counsel brought succour to many.
“Aketi was loved by many, a true believer in justice and fairness – a cause he toed dearly to the very end. Amongst many, he was a voice of reason, one whose counsel resonated well and often brought succour,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State government has confirmed Akeredolu’s death, saying he succumbed to complications arising from protracted prostate cancer.
Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, said Governor Akeredolu answered the eternal call while receiving medical treatment in Germany.
“This tragedy has left behind a profound void in our hearts,” he said, describing Akeredolu as an extraordinary leader whose unwavering dedication to the state and its people was both commendable and unparalleled.
Meanwhile, the newly sworn-in Ondo State governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has declared three days of mourning in the state (starting today) following the death of his former principal, Akeredolu. He also ordered that all flags fly half-mast.
Also, former President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the passing of Governor Akerdolu of Ondo State, and former Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba.
For Akeredolu, Buhari said “I have lost a valued friend. I pray that his soul finds eternal peace. My thoughts are with the countless people who are inspired by his leadership in law and politics.
In the message to the large Na’Abba family in Kano, the government and the people of the state, Buhari described Na’Abba’s demise as a national loss.
Meanwhile, the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Very Revd. Fr. Anselm Ologunwa has described the death of Governor Akeredolu as a colossal loss to the state and Nigeria as a whole.
A statement from the director of information and communications of the association, Daisi Ajayi, said Fr. Ologunwa was shocked at the sudden news of the death of the governor.
On his part, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has described Akeredolu’s death as a monumental loss to the Yoruba nation and the country as a whole.
Oyebanji, in a statement yesterday by his special adviser on media, Yinka Oyebode, said he was devastated by the news of his death.
Abbas, Kalu, Ganduje mourn Akeredolu
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, and the deputy speaker. Benjamin Kalu, have expressed grief over the death of Governor Akeredolu, saying it is a painful loss.
.Governor Akeredolu’s Death, National Loss – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it is saddened by the death of the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu.
The opposition party described the late governor as a courageous and amiable personality, brilliant lawyer and outstanding administrator with deep understanding and capacity for leadership, especially in his roles towards the unity, stability and development of the nation.
Ex APC Chair, Adamu Mourns Akeredolu, Na’Abba
A former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu has described the demise of Akeredolu, and former Speaker of House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba as monumental losses to the country.
In condolence messages to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Mallam Abba Kabir Yusuf, governor of Kano State, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Adamu said the demise of the duo was unfortunate and sad.
Akeredolu, Na’Abba, Played Inestimable Roles In Nigeria – Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said Nigeria will miss the inestimable roles governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gali Umar Na’Abba, played in national development.
In a statement he signed personally, Atiku who said he received the news of their demise with a rude shock and sadness, said Akeredolu was a politician of class because he was never known for destructive politics, while Na’Abba raised the bar of legislative enterprise in Nigeria.
Lawan Mourns Akeredolu, Na’Abba
President of the Ninth Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has mourned the demise of Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba.
Lawan, in a statement he issued yesterday, said the deaths of both leaders had left a void in the political and governance landscape of the nation.
Akeredolu Was An Iroko, A Nationalist – Akpabio
President of the Senate, Senator Godwill Akpabio, has expressed shock over the death of Akeredolu, describing him as “a nationalist and the Iroko of the Sunshine state.”
Akpabio in a condolence message issued by his special adviser on Media and publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, said Akeredolu was a leader that knew his onions and was indeed the iroko of Ondo state as he defended the state with all his strength as governor.
Barau Mourns Ondo Gov Akeredolu
Similarly, in a condolence message, the deputy president of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, mourned Akeredolu and prayed God to give all those the late governor left behind the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
Afenifere Says Akeredolu Will Be Missed For His Courageous Standpoint
On its part, the Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation (Afenifere) has said Governor Akeredolu will be greatly missed for his courageous standpoint on issues of the structure of Nigeria.
Afenifere, in a statement issued by its secretary general, Chief Sola Ebiseni, said in all national conversations, Akeredolu aligned with true progressive voices in the advocacy of true federalism insisting on the change of the constitution imposed by the military through which Nigerian federalism is twisted.
Ebiseni said, “As governor of Ondo State Akeredolu observed and attributed growing sectional activism to ‘faulty and twisted federalism’ lamenting that sectional agitation had displaced “national patriotism.”
FG Condoles With Akeredolu, Na’Abba Families
The federal government has commiserated with the family, the government, and the people of Ondo State, the South-West geopolitical zone, and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), on the passing of Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu.
Similarly, the federal government sent its heartfelt condolences to the family, and the government and people of Kano State, on the passing of Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba.
The minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who stated this in a separate message yesterday in Abuja said the multitudes whose causes the duo championed tirelessly will never forget them.
Also, the minister said as the second speaker of the Federal House of Representatives in the 4th Republic, Na’Abba earned a name and reputation for himself as a committed democrat and a fearless politician, who resolutely believed in the doctrine of separation of powers that is at the foundation of all functioning democracies.
My Father Was Courageous, Compassionate- Akeredolu’s Son
The first son of the late governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Jr., on behalf of Akeredolu’s family, yesterday described his late father as a “courageous, and compassionate father and grandfather.”
Akeredolu, in a statement posted on his father’s official Facebook page, said his father died peacefully in his sleep at a Hospital in Germany, where he was undergoing treatment for protracted prostate cancer.
“While we are deeply saddened and devastated by his departure, we find solace in the understanding that as he transitions to eternity, he will be guided by the benevolent hands of the angels of light, with whom he resided during his remarkable and fruitful journey on Earth,” he said, adding that the details regarding the burial arrangements will be announced by the family and the State Government in due course.
Na’abba Laid To Rest In Kano
The remains of the former Speaker, House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’abba has been laid to rest in Kano amidst mammoth crowd.
Late Na’abba, who died in Abuja yesterday after a brief illness, was brought to Kano for his burial rites which took place at the Emir of Kano’s Palace at about 5:30pm.
The Vice President Kashim Shettima was in attendance at the prayer session of the funeral, which was led by Kano state Chief Imam, Prof Sani Zahraddeen.
Others who attended the prayer include the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, Senator representing Kano South, Kawu Sumaila, former governors, Sule Lamido, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, and the Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Also, present were political, religious and traditional leaders from all across the country.
Late Na’abba, who died at the age of 65, is survived by one wife and nine children. He is laid to rest at the Dandolo Cemetery situated at Gwale in Kano metropolis.
Tinubu Mourns Ghali Na’abba
President Bola Tinubu has sympathized with the Na’Abba family, the government, and the people of Kano State over the passing of Ghali Umar Na’Abba (CFR), former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The late Na’Abba was Speaker of the House Representatives following the return of democracy in Nigeria from 1999 to 2003, succeeding Salisu Buhari.
Kalu, Ex Deputy Speaker Nwuche Mourn Na’ Abba
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has expressed shock over the death of the former Speaker of the House, Hon. Ghali Umar Na ‘Abba.
Describing Na ‘Abba as a “fine parliamentarian with unusual legislative acumen, zeal and zest”, Kalu said the former speaker by his numerous lofty contributions to the body of laws in Nigeria made a lot of impact on the political trajectories of the country.
Similarly, former Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche expressed sadness over the death of former Speaker Na’abba.
In a statement he personally signed yesterday, Nwuche who was the Deputy Speaker to late Na’abba, described the death as a personal loss and a tragedy that leaves a vacuum in the hearts of his family, colleagues and all Nigerians.
FCT Minister Of State Mourns Na’Abba
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has expressed deep sadness over the demise of a distinguished parliamentarian, former Speaker, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba, who passed away yesterday.
In a statement she personally signed and made available to journalists, the minister described Na’Abba as a parliamentarian par excellence.
Na’Abba Was One Of Nigeria’s Finest Lawmakers – Abbas
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed sadness over the demise of a former Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba.
Describing Na’Abba as a lawmaker par excellence, Speaker Abbas said the late ex-Speaker was a dedicated, committed and patriotic Nigerian who served his fatherland with zeal.
Dogara Mourn Na’abba
On his part, a former speaker of the House of Represenatatives, Yakubu Dogara described the late speaker as a principled man, a patriot and leader par excellence.
“The 4th Assembly, under his able leadership, served as a bulwark for the advancement and defence of freedom, liberty, and strict adherence to democratic tenets,” he said.
A statement issued by his media aide, Turaki Hassan, Dogara said Na’abba was a repository of knowledge who was always willing to share from his fountain of wisdom whenever the legislature ran into murky waters and needed clarity to proceed.
