Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, former Special Adviser on National Assembly matters to the late President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, has described the death of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Ghali Umar Na’Abba, as shocking and devastating.
According to him, “Ghali is my son; he grew up to hold a position of authority, and his renowned principles on the separation of power made him a Speaker’s Speaker who died when his services were needed most.”
Making the assertion on Wednesday while speaking with the press, Alhaji Yakasai added that “Ghali’s loss to the cold hand of death at this point in our march to nationhood is simply irreparable.”
“Late former Speaker respected and treated both his seniors and younger ones with respect and dignity, which perhaps oiled the family bond that exists between our families,” the octogenarian said.
He then hinted that “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 Firdaus.”
Yakasai further stated that Nigeria has lost a rare gem whose contribution to participatory democracy would be written in gold.
Speaking in the same vein, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Ilyasu Musa Kwankwaso, while commenting on the death of late Hon. Na’Abba, said, “Nigeria has lost a very big fighter politician.”
Kwankwaso noted that the death has snatched a powerful and colorful politician who, during his time as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, played a unique role and participated well in advancing the nascent democracy.
He hinted that in the green chamber, it was memorable, and whenever the history of politics in the country is written, his name can never be forgotten.
Kwankwaso, while praying to Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Janatul Firdaus, also prayed to Almighty Allah to give his family, the state in particular, and the country in general, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
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