December 27, (THEWILL) – Elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai, on Wednesday, described the death of the 8th speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, as shocking and devastating.
Yakasai OFR, who spoke with reporters in Kano, said: “Ghali is my son, he grew up to hold a position of authority, and his renowned principles on separation of power made him a speaker’s speaker, who died when his services were needed most.”
The nonagenarian said, “Ghali’s loss to the cold hand of death at this point of our march to nationhood is simply irreparable.”
“The late former speaker respected and treated both his senior and younger ones with respect and dignity, which perhaps oiled the family bond that exists between our families.
“I, therefore, want to seize this auspicious time to commiserate with Na’Abba’s family in particular, Kano State and Nigeria in general over his demise, and beseech Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Janatul Firdous,” Yakasai said.
He maintained that Nigeria had lost a rare gem whose contribution to participatory democracy would be written in gold.
Born on September 27, 1958, Ghali Na’Abba died in Abuja on Wednesday morning, after an illness, according to family sources.
The sources said the remains of the former Speaker would be buried on Wednesday according to Islamic rites.
Late Na’Abba joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and became the party’s candidate for Kano Municipal Federal Constituency, a position he won during the April 1999 general elections.
He subsequently emerged as speaker of the House of Representatives after the political crisis that led to the exit of the first speaker of the Fourth Republic, Salisu Buhari.
About the Author
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
