…As Akume leads FG delegation to Talata Mafara

Former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and other opposition leaders on Thursday stormed Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, to commiserate with the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, over the death of his maternal aunt, Hajiya Rukiya Jibril.

The opposition leaders joined political associates and other dignitaries across party lines to mourn with Yari and his family following the death of Hajiya Rukiya, the immediate younger sister of Yari’s mother.

Tambuwal, accompanied by Senator Abdul Ningi, represented the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the condolence gathering, while Senator Tony Nwoye led members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The gathering underscored the political and personal relationships surrounding Yari, with leaders from the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties putting aside political differences to commiserate with him.

Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, led a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Talata Mafara to convey President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s condolences to Yari and his family.

Delivering the President’s message, Akume told Yari that the Federal Government stood with him and his family in their moment of grief.

He described death as a transition and return to Allah, urging the bereaved family to draw strength from their faith and the belief that the deceased had completed her earthly journey.

Akume prayed for Allah’s forgiveness and mercy upon Hajiya Rukiya, acceptance of her good deeds and a place for her among the righteous, while also seeking divine strength for the family.

Responding, Yari thanked President Tinubu for the gesture of compassion and solidarity, as well as Akume and other members of the Federal Government delegation for travelling to Talata Mafara to honour the deceased.

He described the visit as a source of comfort and encouragement to him and his family and prayed for Allah’s continued guidance and blessings upon the President, SGF and members of the delegation.

Yari also appealed to Nigerians to remember his late maternal aunt in their prayers and seek Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and peaceful repose for her soul.

The Federal Government delegation included Niger State Governor, Umar Bago; APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru; former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha; and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, among others.

The condolence gathering brought together political leaders from across the political divide, with the dignitaries joining Yari in prayers for the repose of Hajiya Rukiya’s soul.