By Mumini Abdulkareem
It was tears and sorrow in Patigi, the home town of late lawmaker, Hon
Ahmed Saidu Rufai who died in the early hours of Tuesday at the
University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
Late Rufai was survived by his parents, three wives and kids.
A minute silence was observed in honour of the deceased amidst tears
and sober moods at the Kwara State House of Assembly during plenary
before his remains was taken to Patigi for the burial rites according
to Islamic injunctions in his country home, Gada-Woro, Lade District
of Patigi Local Government. The Fidau followed immediately after his
burial.
Following the development, Tuesday’s plenary was adjourned after the
Speaker, Engr Yakubu Danladi-Salihu okayed the adoption of votes and
proceeding of last Thursday’ plenary.
According to a statement by the Speaker, “The 9th Assembly reiterated
its continued support for the deceased’s family, understanding the
overwhelming burden they will be shouldering as a result of Rufai’s
demise.
“I want to sincerely appreciate everyone who have shown us empathy in
this hard moment of ours, His Excellencies, the Governor and Deputy
Governor of Kwara State, our party, APC leadership, traditional
rulers, corporate organisations and all well-meaning Kwarans who
empathise with us in this moment of grieve, we pray Allah forestall
further loss and grant us all fortitude to bear this great loss,”
Danladi added.
The legislators later paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Patigi,
HRH, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, at his palace in Patigi where the
royal father prayed for the repose of the deceased and admonished his
guests that the death of Hon. Rufai is a lesson for all, to prepare
for death at all time as no one know when it would come.
The Speaker had earlier described the death as a rude shock in a
statement by his Media Aide, Sherif Ibrahim.
Also Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq who commiserated with the Emir
and people of Patigi Emirate and the ruling All Progressives Congress
(APC) over the death of Hon Rufai described it as shocking and
devastating and “pray Almighty Allah to forgive and repose his soul in
Al-jannah. The departed gentleman was a peace loving Kwaran and a
strong advocate for the development of his community,” Chief Press
Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said in a statement on
Tuesday.
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also
commiserated with the family and friends of the deceased lawmaker, his
constituency, Patigi, his party, APC and the state House of Assembly
and prayed Almighty God to forgive the shortcomings and grant his
family, friends, colleagues, associates and loved ones the fortitude
to bear this huge loss”, a condolence message by the party’s Publicity
Secretary, Tunde Ashaolu, noted.
Other individuals that also reacted to the issue included the speaker
of the last legislature, Dr Ali Ahmad, APC gubernatorial aspirants,
commissioner-designates and ex-councillors forum among others.
