Victor EzejaFormer President Muhammadu Buhari and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, have expressed grief over the death of the first civilian governor of the State, Alhaji Bukar Abba Ibrahim.
Ibrahim, who was also a founding member of the All Progressives Congress, and former Senator representing Yobe East Senatorial District, died on Sunday at the age of 73.
Buhari, according to statement shared on Sunday by his media aide, Garba Shehu, said: “I am deeply saddened by the demise of Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim. I convey my deepest condolences to the family he left behind and the government and people of Yobe State.
“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.”
Ibrahim was the governor of Yobe State from May 1999 to May 2007. Upon ending his tenure as governor, he was also elected to the Senate for the Yobe East Senatorial District in 2007, and subsequently, reelected in 2011.
On his part Governor Buni described the death of the former governor as a big loss to the state.
A statement by Buni’s DG, Press, and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed, said the former governor and elder statesman died while receiving treatment for a protracted illness in Saudi Arabia and will be buried there.
Buni further directed all other aspects of the funeral and condolences to be taken over by the state government to accord the late governor a state burial and honour.
He said: “This is a huge loss for us at this time, but that is the wish of Allah, our creator. May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and admit him into Aljannatu Firdaus,” Buni prayed.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
