President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, to commiserate with the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, over the death of his maternal aunt, Hajiya Rukiya Jibril.
The delegation, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, conveyed the President’s condolences and solidarity to Yari and the bereaved family.
Hajiya Rukiya, the immediate younger sister of Yari’s mother, was said to have played a significant role in the former Zamfara State governor’s upbringing during his formative years.
Special Adviser to the SGF on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.
According to the statement, Akume told the family that the delegation was in Talata Mafara to identify with them at a moment of grief and pray for the peaceful repose of the deceased.
Reflecting on the inevitability of death, the SGF described it as a transition and return to Allah in accordance with divine will and wisdom.
He urged Yari and members of his family to draw strength from their faith and take consolation in the life lived by the deceased.
Akume prayed Allah to forgive Hajiya Rukiya’s shortcomings, accept her good deeds, grant her infinite mercy and admit her into Jannatul Firdaus.
He also assured Yari that the family was not alone in its grief, saying its loss was shared by the Federal Government, members of the Presidential Campaign Council, friends, associates and political stakeholders.
The SGF described the Presidential Campaign Council as a large political and social family whose members remained united in moments of joy and grief.
He likened the Yari family to a remarkable tree planted by their late mother, whose fruits, according to him, continued to demonstrate confidence, brotherhood, unity and togetherness.
The Federal Government delegation included Niger State Governor, Umar Bago; National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Bashiru; Senator Rochas Okorocha; Senator Adamu Aleiru; Hon. James Abiodun Faleke; former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; and former Taraba State Governor, Rev. Jolly Nyame.
Others were the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Anite; Senator Kawu Sumaila; and Senator Nasiru Sani Zango Daura, among other dignitaries.
The condolence gathering also drew politicians from outside the ruling party, including a delegation led by Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside Senator Abdul Ningi.
Senator Tony Nwoye of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Bauchi State also attended the gathering.
Akume said the presence of political leaders from different parties demonstrated the values of compassion, empathy and communal solidarity, stressing that bereavement transcended political affiliations and official responsibilities.
Responding, Yari expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the gesture of compassion and solidarity extended to him and his family.
He described the visit by the Federal Government delegation as a source of comfort, encouragement and strength to the family during its period of mourning.
Yari also thanked Akume and other members of the delegation for travelling to Talata Mafara to honour his late aunt and identify with the family.
He prayed for Allah’s continued guidance and protection for the President, the SGF, members of the delegation and the Federal Government.
The former governor appealed to Nigerians to remember Hajiya Rukiya in their prayers and seek Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and peaceful repose for her soul.