National Conscience Party (NCP) and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have expressed sadness over the death of the National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Alhaji Abdulkadir Abubakar Abdulsalam, who occurred on Tuesday after a brief illness.
This was contained in separate condolence messages by NCP National Chairman, Dr Yunusa Tanko, and CUPP National Secretary, Chief Peter Ameh.
Tanko, who expressed shock over the death, described Alhaji Abdulsalam as a gentleman and a good friend, whom they owed a special tribute.
“Accordingly, we at the National Conscience Party would like to send our condolences to his family, Labour Party, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the government and people of Niger State, and Paiko where Salam was a traditional title holder as Barde Paiko.
“Abdulkadir Salam was a courageous politician with a nose for business.
“But not even this affected his views on national issues which he often expressed unequivocally.
“Although a political party man, Salam often kept the masses in his heart from partisan frays. He has passed away when his services were most needed.
“Nigeria will miss him. We pray for the repose of his soul.
“Although we do not imply anything since the cause of his death is not known to us, we are nonetheless concerned by the rising cases of unexplained deaths in our midst,” Tanko said.
On his part, Ameh said he could testify that the late Alhaji Abdulsalam till his death had undying love and faith in Nigeria.
Similarly, a foremost labour leader and chieftain of Labour Party, Comrade Issa Aremu, has condoled with his party and family. In a condolence message, Aremu described the deceased as an astute politician who kept faith with Labour Party from formation to the end.
Abdulsalam, who was the founding secretary of the party and rose to its chairman, worked with Dan Iwuanyanwu and flagged off the governorship campaign of Adams Oshiomhole in Edo State in 2007.
Aremu said the alliance between LP and the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) led to the victory of Comrade Oshiomhole in 2008 and repeated the same feat in Ondo State for Olusegun Mimiko who won twice as LP governor in the state.
He added that LP remained one of the leading parties in Nigeria frequently seen on the ballot papers as a result of Salam’s perseverance and commitment, saying that the contest as LP governorship candidate in the 2019 election in Kwara State was made possible by the late chairman.
The deceased was also the pioneer general secretary of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) after the trade union restructuring in 1978.
Aremu said Abdulsalam was loved beyond words and his exemplary leadership qualities and doggedness shall be missed greatly.
