THE former presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the Third Republic, Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, is dead.
The politician, who was born in June 1947, was also the Chairman of Kano Elders Forum during his life time.
A reliable source close to the deceased’s family said he died during a brief illness at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, in the early hours of Monday.
The funeral prayers for the deceased were held at his residence in Kano on Monday.
It was conducted by Imam Shehu Tijjani Yan Mota at his residence at Gandun Albasa area of Kano by 9:20a.m. and attended by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; the senator represnting Kano Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau; a former Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, and Alhaji Sule Yahya Hamma, among others.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday described the deceased as one that will be difficult to replace.
A statement issued by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, also pointed out that beyond being a politician of note, the late Tofa was also a promoter of Islamic culture and civilisation.
“The late Tofa was noted for his untiring commitment to public enlightenment and was unafraid to speak the truth all the time that he lived.
“He set up the Bureau for Islamic Propagation (BIP) in the mid-80s that helped to unite Muslim scholars in the northern states, narrowing the differences that characterised their relationships. The BIP also published books and newspapers,” the statement noted.
In a tribute to the deceased, Buhari described him as a true nationalist that would be difficult to replace.
“He was, till the end, a patriot to the core. He envisaged a better Nigeria for all. We pray that this dream and collective aspiration and necessary commitment will not go with him. We owe it to his memory and to the nation,’’ said the president.
On his part, the Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has also mourned the death of Tofa, adding that his contributions to democracy in Nigeria remained indelible.
According to a statement signed by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, the governor noted the sacrifices of Tofa, who started taking up leadership responsibilities at an early age, when he was elected councillor, contributed greately to the development of the state.
Also, Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State has expressed sadness over the death of Tofa, adding that as a statesman, industrialist and politician , he contributed to the development of the northern region and the nation in general.
In the same vein, the Yobe State governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni, has condoled with the family of the deceased, the government and people of Kano State.
Buni in a statement described the deceased as someone who took politics as a call to service to promote good governance.
He expressed regret that the late Tofa died at a time when the country’s democracy needed his wise counsel.
Also, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has said it is saddened over the death of Tofa, describing him as a great statesman and mentor. In a condolence message issued by its spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the CNG said it owes immeasurable gratitude to the deceased whose leadership, sacrifice, statesmanship, patriotism and unwavering commitment to the interests of the people of the Northern region and citizens of Nigeria as a whole has few parallels.
Meanwhile, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has expressed shock over the death of Tofa. The Forum said the Northern region has lost an indefatigable defender of its dignity and values, adding that Nigeria has lost an illustrious son and consummate politician.
A statement by the Director, Publicity and Advocacy of NEF, Dr Hakeem BabaAhmed, said the forum has lost a loyal founding member and firm believer in responsible and visionary leadership.
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