El-Rufai’s Mom’s Burial Attracts Rivals, Allies Collectively As Political Tensions Ease In Uncommon Present Of Unity
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday laid his mom to relaxation amid an unusually broad gathering of political figures, as erstwhile rivals, allies and associates put aside variations to pay their final respects.
The ultimate funeral offered a uncommon second of unity in Nigeria’s fractious political panorama, as his estranged associates, together with the Nationwide Safety Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu and present Governor of Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, who’ve had a not-so-smooth relationship with El-Rufai in latest occasions, additionally current.
Except for El-Rufai’s estranged allies, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Labour Get together (LP) presidential candidate within the 2023 normal election, Peter Obi; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi in addition to the Governor of Niger State, Umaru Bago and Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi have been current throughout among the occasions resulting in the ultimate burial. Earlier, President Bola Tinubu had despatched in his condolence message.
A former Governor of Sokoto and present chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Aminu Tambuwal, was additionally current on the funeral prayers on the Nationwide Mosque in Abuja.
Their presence highlighted the cross-party significance of the event, drawing collectively figures who are sometimes political adversaries. Earlier, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, had additionally visited the embattled politician to commiserate with him on his mom’s demise.
However lastly, Hajiya Umma el-Rufai, was laid to relaxation in Abuja on the Gudu Cemetery following funeral prayers carried out according to Islamic rites. THISDAY stories that the matriarch of the household died on Friday in Cairo, Egypt, the place she had been receiving medical remedy.
In a dramatic flip of occasions, hours after her loss of life, el-Rufai, who had been in detention for over a month for alleged graft, was launched by federal authorities.
Earlier than yesterday’s last burial, the household of el-Rufai had introduced the arrival of the stays of the ex-governor’s mom in Abuja for burial. El-Rufai’s son and member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency within the Home of Representatives, Mohammed El-Rufai, confirmed the funeral preparations in a press release posted on X. He acknowledged that the deceased’s stays had arrived safely on Sunday morning in Abuja.
“That is to inform most people that the stays of our grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, have safely landed in Abuja. The Janazah Prayer is by 1 p.m. as introduced Sunday night time.
“The prayers will happen on the Nationwide Mosque and he or she can be buried at Gudu Cemetery by the grace of God. Might Allah SWT bless her soul and all people who handed away earlier than her,” he wrote.
Hajiya Umma’s loss of life got here at a time when ell-Rufai was within the custody of the Impartial Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee (ICPC) following his arrest over allegations of corruption and cash laundering.
He was arraigned earlier than a Federal Excessive Court docket in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count cost, with the case adjourned till March 31, 2026, for listening to of pending purposes, together with his bail request. He was, nevertheless, granted launch from ICPC custody, reportedly to attend the burial rites and be along with his household.
Additionally on Sunday, THISDAY understood {that a} former Minister, Ali Pantami, might have performed a job in brokering peace among the many feuding associates.
The reconciliation befell on the Nationwide Mosque through the funeral prayer, the place former minister Pantami intervened to mediate between the political leaders. Talking on the occasion, Pantami urged each males to put aside their variations. “Your Excellency, forgive each other,” he mentioned.
After a short dialogue with them, Pantami was mentioned to have introduced that peace had been restored. “They’ve forgiven one another,” he declared.
Uba Sani and el-Rufai, who as soon as labored intently collectively in Kaduna, have been embroiled in a protracted political dispute. The rift deepened after el-Rufai left his former political platform and moved throughout events in latest occasions. Regardless of their variations, the burial introduced collectively a number of political figures.
In the meantime Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya joined dignitaries, members of the family and mourners on the Nationwide Mosque Abuja for the Janazah (funeral) prayer for Umma el-Rufai.
Yahaya, who can be the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Discussion board (NSGF), expressed deep sorrow over the loss and commiserated with el-Rufai and your complete household.
In accordance with a press launch issued by Ismaila Misilli, Director-Normal (Press Affairs), Authorities Home, Gombe, which was made obtainable to journalists on Sunday, the governor described the demise of a mom as a profound and irreplaceable loss that leaves a permanent void within the hearts of her kids and family members.
He paid glowing tribute to the late matriarch, noting that Hajiya Umma lived a life characterised by humility, compassion and powerful ethical values, having nurtured a household grounded in self-discipline and repair.
On behalf of the Authorities and other people of Gombe State, in addition to the Northern States Governors’ Discussion board, Yahaya prolonged his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved household, urging them to seek out solace within the exemplary life she lived and the constructive legacy she left behind.
Emmanuel Addeh, Chuks Okocha and Segun Awofadeji
Nationwide Meeting Strikes To Institutionalise Accountable State Police Amid Push For Decentralised Safety
Excerpt: Nationwide Meeting advances state police framework, guarantees strict accountability measures to forestall abuse and strengthen Nigeria’s safety structure nationwide.
Chief of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, on Sunday, disclosed that the Nationwide Meeting had commenced work on a decentralised policing system designed to entrench accountability and forestall its abuse by the political class.
Bamidele, who additionally serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Overview of the 1999 Structure, mentioned the parliament was dedicated to creating a framework for state police that will serve the pursuits of all Nigerians, no matter standing.
He acknowledged this in a press release he personally issued on Sunday by his Media Workplace, to mark the 74th birthday anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whereas additionally commending numerous initiatives launched by the administration to stabilise the nation and deal with its safety challenges.
Bamidele famous that the president had demonstrated sturdy synergy with the Nationwide Meeting in tackling insecurity, including that the administration was adopting modern methods past standard approaches to handle extremism, terrorism and violent crimes.
In accordance with him, Tinubu had constantly supported the creation of a decentralised police construction as a part of broader efforts to safeguard lives, non-public property and demanding nationwide belongings throughout the federation.
He defined that the essence of the proposed mannequin was to devolve policing powers to sub-national authorities to make sure efficient governance, significantly in distant communities.
“That is one requests that the Nationwide Meeting has been treating with precedence,” he mentioned.
The senate chief additional acknowledged that the proposed framework would incorporate strict accountability mechanisms to forestall abuse of energy by political actors, reinforce the administration of justice, discourage impunity and set up safeguards for the safety of elementary human rights.
“All these initiatives have been on the core of shared conviction, which the Presidency and Nationwide Meeting have been engaged on to safe Nigeria higher,” he mentioned, assuring Nigerians that the framework would align with international greatest practices.
Bamidele additionally used the event to replicate on Tinubu’s management at 74, describing him as a statesman whose lifelong dedication to nationwide growth had continued to form Nigeria’s trajectory.
He mentioned the president had demonstrated unwavering dedication, patriotism and resilience in steering the nation by way of difficult occasions, noting that his reforms, although initially troublesome, have been already yielding constructive outcomes.
Describing Tinubu as “a person of historical past, objective and imaginative and prescient,” Bamidele mentioned the president had constantly proven the capability to rise above challenges in pursuit of nationwide progress.
Sunday Aborisade
Times Nigeria