Atiku, PDP, NBA, others mourn Mama Taraba  

The death of Hajiya Aisha Jumai Alhassan, popularly known as Mama Taraba, has been described as a great loss to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Aisha, who has been in and out of hospital recently, finally passed on yesterday in Cairo, Egypt at the age of 61.

At press time, plans were being made to bring back her remains to the country for internment, according to a member of her family.

Though no official statement had been issued by the state government, but some PDP chieftains, who spoke told The Guardian that her death would no doubt affect the party.

Deputy state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Inuwa Bakari, said PDP has lose “a great member,” stressing that it would be very difficult for anybody to fill the vacuum created by the death of “a gallant woman who fought a good fight.”

Another chieftain described her as a “grassroots politician and a mobilizer whose style of politics would be difficult to come by. Taraba and Nigeria at large have lost a great politician.”

The state chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), in its official Facebook page, wrote: “As a former attorney general and commissioner for Justice in Taraba State, you contributed heavily.

“As a senator, you shone like a bright star and as minister of Women Affairs, you were a phenomenon. You were an uncommon personality amongst women. Your passion to see a great Taraba remains unforgettable.”

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said that with the death of the former governorship candidate in Taraba State, Nigeria has lost yet another impactful female politician in our recent memory.

Atiku said in a statement in Abuja, yesterday evening: “Aisha Alhassan was a reliable political ally and a foot soldier who was passionate about her political convictions.

“I am grieved by the loss. I asked about her condition this (yesterday) afternoon after I called her number without a response. I can’t forget her dedication and how she stood by me through thick and thin in the course of my political career. I really have lost a sister and loyalist.”

Alhassan contested the governorship election in Taraba State in 2015 governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), but lost to Governor Darius Ishaku of PDP.

She was later appointed minister of Women Affairs by President Muhammadu Buhari.

She, however, resigned her appointment when she controversially endorsed Atiku for president ahead of the 2019 elections.