By Chesa Chesa
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Thursday led a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, to condole with the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, over the death of his maternal aunt, Hajiya Rukiya Jibril.
Hajiya Jibril was the immediate younger sister of Yari’s mother, and the condolence visit also attracted prominent figures from opposition parties.
Former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, accompanied by Senator Abdul Ningi, represented the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Senator Tony Nwoye led members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on a separate condolence visit to the bereaved family.
Delivering a condolence message from President Bola Tinubu, Akume assured Yari and members of his family that they were not alone in their moment of grief.
The SGF described death as a transition and a return to Allah, occurring according to His divine will and wisdom.
He urged the bereaved family to draw strength from their faith and the knowledge that the deceased had completed her earthly journey and returned to her Creator.
Akume prayed Allah to forgive her sins, accept her good deeds and grant her infinite mercy, expressing hope that she would be admitted among the righteous.
Responding, Yari expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for the gesture of compassion and solidarity extended to him and his family.
He also thanked Akume and members of the delegation for travelling to Talata Mafara to personally honour the deceased and stand with the family during the period of mourning.
Yari described the visit as a great source of comfort, encouragement and strength to him and his family.
He prayed for Allah’s continued guidance, protection and blessings upon the SGF, members of the delegation, President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
The former Zamfara governor 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.
Other members of the Federal Government delegation included Niger State Governor Umar Bago; National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Bashiru; former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha; and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, among others.
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