President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of Senator Ali Wakil from Bauchi State as “an incalculable loss to Nigeria’s democracy,’’ as his whose dedication to duty was remarkable and worthy of emulation.”
According to a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity) in Abuja, on Saturday. the president said that the death of the Senator came as a great shock to him, adding that his dedication to duty would remain one of the greatest virtues for which the deceased would be remembered.
“The passion for duty was one of the finest qualities of late Senator Wakil,” as he said, urging other democratically elected leaders to borrow a leaf from the deceased’s record of dedication.
The president, while praying to Allah to bless the soul of the deceased, also extended his condolences to his family, colleagues in the National Assembly, the government and people of Bauchi State over this great loss to the country.
Saraki visits family
President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, expressed sadness over the death of the Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Ali Wakili.
Saraki, according to a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the deceased as a vibrant lawmaker and public servant who was very passionate about his assignment and engagements in the Senate, especially as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation and other committees where he was a member.
“Mallam Wakili is one lawmaker you can never be in doubt of where he stands on a particular issue. He spoke his mind fearlessly,” “His contributions at plenary were always very incisive and rich. I find it difficult to acknowledge that he will not resume plenary with us next Tuesday.
“My heart goes out to his family, the 8th Senate, the government and people of Bauchi State, over the loss of this conscientious and patriotic Nigerian. He shall be sorely missed,” he said.
Saraki later visited the Abuja residence of the Senator where he commiserated with his family members.
The President of the Senate prayed Allah to grant MallamWakili a place among the righteous in AljannahFirdaus and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
I lost a brother, confidant – Dogara
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has described as devastating and heart breaking the death of Senator Malam Ali Wakili, a senator in the 8th Assembly.
The Speaker, according to his spokesperson, Mr. Turaki Hassan, in a statement could not control his emotions on getting described the late Senator as a personal friend, true brother and dependable ally.
“The death of Ali Wakili is a personal loss to me. I’m short of words to describe how devastated and heart broken I am over the passing away of this true friend, brother and confidant, with whom I had excellent brotherly relationship and association”.
“We have indeed lost a distinguished parliamentarian, easy going and courageous person who had worked tirelessly both in the Senate chamber and outside to defend the interest of his constituents, Bauchi State and the downtrodden members of the society in the country at large”.
“Within his eventful sojourn in the National Assembly, Wakili had distinguished himself with his characteristic display of patriotism, forthrightness and logical skills during debates and other legislative duties”.
“We in Bauchi State and in particular, Bauchi South Senatorial District, have lost a worthy ambassador and a distinguished gentleman. But we’ll take solace in the fact that his humanitarian services and other accomplishments will continue to be a source of inspiration to us all.”
In his reaction, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator BalaMuhammedDuguri, expressed deep sympathy with the family members, colleagues and political associates, as well as the Bauchi State and Nigeria in general.
Similarly, BalaAbdulkadir Muhammad (KauranBauchi), who once represented the same Bauchi South Senatorial District as the late Ali Wakili condoled with the government of the state over the death of his “brother, colleague, Senator MalamWakili.’’
A painful exit —Mark
The immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, also expressed shock and sadness over the death of the Senator. Senator Wakili was reported dead at his Abuja residence on Saturday morning.
Mark said: “I am shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of our colleague and friend. It is devastating”.
He added: “ Senator Wakili was a peace maker. He always craved for fairness, justice and national unity.
“He was a principled, focused and resourceful parliamentarian who identified with the ordinary people. He fought for the welfare of citizens without compromise. He practiced inclusive politics that provided the greatest benefit to the largest number of his constituents.
Senator Mark, in a release signed by Paul Mumeh, his Media Assistant, stated that the Senate and indeed the nation lost a detribalised Nigerian and one of the apostles of our democratic project.
As a respected parliamentarian, Senator Mark added that “ Wakili always deployed wisdom and diplomatic strategy to drive home his points needed to provide dividend of democracy to his people.
“We shall miss his robust and unbiased contributions to parliamentary debate on national issues.”
Bauchi South leaders mourn
Sympathisers thronged the residence of late Senator Ali Wakili, in Bauchi to register their condolences on his death.
Adamu Shehu described the death as a setback for the people of the state because the Senator treated people equally and that even before Wakili joined politics, he used his position as a Customs officer to positively impact on the lives of people.
Hauwa Mohammed, said Wakili would be remembered for his kindness to women because many benefited from his empowerment programme, which has made many of them self sufficient.
In a condolence message signed by the Special Adviser to the governor of Bauchi State on Media and Strategy, Ali Mohammed, it stated that his passage was a great loss not only to his constituents, but the entire nation. His vibrant contributions on the floor of the Senate chamber would be greatly missed. Such interventions have contributed in shaping national discourse,” it said.
The governor, therefore, declared three-day mourning, during which time flags will fly at half mast. He has also suspended all state duties in Abuja.
The Governor similarly directed the reduction, by two hours, of closing time of workers in the state during the three days of mourning.
In the same vein, the Bauchi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (ADC) expressed deep shock over the sudden death of Wakili.
In his reaction, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator BalaMuhammedDuguri, expressed deep sympathy with the family members, colleagues and political associates, as well as the State and Nigeria in general.
Similarly, Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad (KauranBauchi), who once represented the same Bauchi South Senatorial District condoled with the government over the death of his “brother, colleague, Senator MalamWakili.’’
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