• President, Abbas, others mourn
The lawmaker representing Isa/Sabon Birni Federal Constituency of Sokoto State in the House of Representatives, Abdulkadir Jelani Danbuga, is dead.
A first-term member elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly died yesterday after an illness.
He was 63.
But the cause of his death and the name of the hospital where he was confirmed dead could not be ascertained last night.
The death of the lawmaker, who was a Sole Administrator of Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, was announced at yesterday’s plenary when Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu read a letter from another lawmaker, Abdullahi Kalambaina, representing Kware/Wamako Federal Constituency of Sokoto State.
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The letter reads: “We surely belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our colleague, Abdulkadir Jalani Danbuga, who died in the early hours to today, October 11, 2023, after a brief illness in Abuja.
“He was, until his death, the member representing Isa/Sabon Birni Federal Constituency of Sokoto State. He will be buried today (Wednesday) in Sokoto according to Islamic rites. May Allah forgive him.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday mourned Danbuga.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said President Tinubu also sent messages of sympathy and condolences to the leadership and members of the House of Representatives over the lawmaker’s demise.
“His victory at the polls was, in itself, a testimony that he was loved by his people. He earned their respect. I understand that he had been providing effective representation for his constituents in the House.
“I offer my condolences to his family and constituents, as well as the people and government of Sokoto State. I also condole with the presiding officers of the House of Representatives and the entire membership over the devastating loss of an eminent colleague,” he said.
The President prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Danbuga and for divine comfort to his family.
In a tribute by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Speaker Abbas said: “It is devastating to receive the news of the demise of Abdulkadir Jelani Danbuga at this time that his people need him most.
“I knew Danbuga to be a gentleman who showed a lot of zeal and patriotism within the short period that he served as member of the 10th House of Representatives.
“As painful as his demise is, I find solace in the fact that he lived a life worthy of emulation by others.”
In his tribute, Deputy Speaker Kalu said: “We just lost one of our colleagues who recently represented Isa/Sabon Birni Federal Constituency of Sokoto State…
“We commensurate with the family, his constituency, Sokoto State, our colleagues from the North and the Muslim community. This is not a good day for the House. He toiled to win the election.
“Think of his struggle to represent his people. All the money spent, all the efforts have gone down the grave today. It is sad for the family, his constituency, the parliament, and the country. It is a lesson for some of us who are still alive…”
Lawmakers from Sokoto State described the death as a big loss, not only to his family, but the parliament and the country.
