The remains of the former Yobe State governor, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, were yesterday laid to rest at Makkah’s cemetery in Saudi Arabia.
Senator Ibrahim died at Saudi-German Hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, at the age of 75 after a protracted illness leaving two wives, 17 children, and grandchildren.
The funeral (Janazah) held at the Grand Mosque took place on Monday morning after Fajr prayers at Masjid Al Haram.
According to the Haramain, approximately 20 deceased were prayed upon after the Fajr prayers on Monday at Masjid Al Haram.
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Meanwhile, thousands of sympathisers on Monday thronged the Yobe State Government House Mosque in Damaturu to condole with the government and pay their last respect to the former governor.
The state governor received the former governor of Jigawa State, Alh. Saminu Turaki, traditional rulers, members of the state assembly, the judiciary, members of the state executive council, party chieftains, and representatives of various groups and organisations who paid their condolences.
Speaking to journalists, Senator Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, who governed Jigawa from 1999 to 2007, said the death was a huge loss to the government, citizens of the state, and the country at large.
“Bukar was a nice person, he would not fight with anybody. We have seen his legacies including Damaturu Central Mosque, Yobe State Islamic Centre, and many other religious centres.
“We are praying to God to forgive his shortcomings and admit him into Aljannatu Firdaus. He will be sorely missed for his immense contributions to the development of his state,” he said.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has also expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the first civilian governor of Yobe State.
Chairman of the forum and Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on behalf of the 19 Northern Governors, extended heartfelt condolences to Governor Buni, government and people of Yobe State, as well as the family and associates of the late elder statesman.
In a statement by his spokesman, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor said the news of the demise of Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim came as a profound shock and a great loss to the entire Northern region and Nigeria at large.
In his earlier condolence message, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he received the news of the passing of Senator Ibrahim with immense grief.
The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, extended his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the family, friends, and associates of the late senator and the government and people of Yobe State.
Similarly, former President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed grief over the death of the founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the first civilian governor of Yobe State.
Buhari, in a statement by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, said “With his death, I have lost a friend whom I knew for decades, a political associate who shared my views on many issues. His insights and nuanced understanding of the people governed had no parallels. May Allah forgive his shortcomings.”
Daily Trust reports that individuals and groups within and outside the state have continued to visit the government house mosque to pray for the repose of the soul of the late former governor.
Many stakeholders, politicians, and civil servants who served in the Bukar administration recalled the efforts of the late governor in laying a good foundation for the development of the state.
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