President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned
the loss of a leader of inestimable value to “Nigeria’s democracy whose
dedication to duty was remarkable and worthy of emulation” following the
death of Senator Ali Wakili. In a statement yesterday by Senior Special
Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu,
Buhari said news of the death of Wakili came to him as a great shock.
The president said the late senator’s dedication to duty was one of the
greatest virtues for which he would be remembered.
The statement said, “The passion for
duty was one of the finest qualities of late Senator Wakili,” urging
other democratically elected leaders to borrow a leaf from the
deceased’s record of dedication.
“The president, while praying to Allah
to bless the soul of the departed senator, also extended his condolences
to his family, his colleagues in the National Assembly, as well as the
government and people of Bauchi State over this great loss to the
country,” the statement added.
Wakili, 58, who was senator for Bauchi
South, had slumped at his Gwarinpa Estate residence, in Abuja, in the
early hours of Saturday. He was rushed to a hospital within the estate,
but reportedly died before getting to the hospital. He was buried
yesterday in Abuja according to Islamic rites.
Wakili was until his death Chairman of the Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation.
Among early callers to his residence
were Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, both of whom expressed shock at the
senator’s death. They were accompanied by Leader of the Senate, Senator
Ahmad Lawan, Senator Hamman Misau, and wife of the Senate President,
Mrs. Toyin Saraki, among others.
Saraki, in a statement, said Wakili was a
vibrant lawmaker and a public servant who was very passionate about his
assignment and engagements in the Senate.
“Mallam Ali Wakili is one lawmaker you
can never be in doubt where he stands on a particular issue. He spoke
his mind fearlessly. His contributions at plenary were always very
incisive and rich. I find it difficult to acknowledge that he will not
resume plenary with us next Tuesday,” Saraki stated.
The senate president sent his condolences to Wakili’s family, the Senate, and the government and people of Bauchi State.
“He shall be sorely missed,” Saraki added.
A statement by Dogara’s special adviser
on media and publicity, Mr. Hassan Turaki, quoted the speaker as saying,
“The death of Sen. Ali Wakili is a personal loss to me. I’m short of
words to describe how devastated and heartbroken I am over the passing
away of this true friend, brother and confidant, with whom I had
excellent brotherly relationship and association.
“We have indeed lost a distinguished
parliamentarian, easy going and courageous person who had worked
tirelessly both in the Senate chamber and outside to defend the interest
of his constituents, Bauchi State, and the downtrodden members of the
society in the country at large.
“Within his short but eventful sojourn
in the National Assembly, Sen. Wakili had distinguished himself with his
characteristic display of patriotism, forthrightness and logical skills
during debates and other legislative duties.”
Dogara, who is also from Bauchi State,
stated, “We in Bauchi State and, in particular, Bauchi South Senatorial
District, have lost a worthy ambassador and a distinguished gentleman.
But we’ll take solace in the fact that his humanitarian services and
other accomplishments will continue to be a source of inspiration to us
all.
“Our deep condolences go to his
immediate family, constituents, the people of Bauchi State and the
nation at large over this irreparable loss.”
Wakili was also mourned by Deputy Senate
President Ike Ekweremadu, who stated in a release yesterday, “Senator
Wakili’s stint at the National Assembly has, no doubt, been cut short,
but it was long enough to prove himself a forthright, patriotic,
diligent, and courageous politician, who respected his conviction and
loved his fatherland. He stood for what he believed was right and worked
for the unity of Nigeria.”
Ekweremadu described Wakili’s death as a personal loss, saying, “He will live on in our hearts.”
Similarly, in a statement, the immediate
past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, expressed shock and
sadness over what he said was the untimely death of Wakili.
“I am shocked and saddened by the sudden
demise of our colleague and friend. It is devastating. Senator Wakili
was a peace maker. He always craved for fairness, justice and national
unity,” Mark stated.
He added, “He was a principled, focused
and resourceful parliamentarian who identified with the ordinary people.
He fought for the welfare of citizens without compromise. He practised
inclusive politics that provided the greatest benefit to the largest
number of his constituents.”
The former senate president lamented that Nigeria had lost a detribalised citizen and a staunch apostle of democracy.
“As a respected parliamentarian, Wakili
always deployed wisdom and diplomatic strategy to drive home his points
needed to provide dividends of democracy to his people. We shall miss
his robust and unbiased contributions to parliamentary debate on
national issues,” Mark added.
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Government has declared three days of mourning for Wakili.
A press statement signed by Special
Adviser, Media and Strategy, to Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar of
Bauchi State, Ali M. Ali, said, “His passage is a great loss not only to
his constituents but the entire nation. His vibrant contributions on
the floor of the Senate chamber would be greatly missed. Such
interventions have contributed in shaping national discourse.
“Governor Abubakar has, therefore, declared three days of mourning during which time flags will fly at half-mast.
“The governor has also suspended all
state duties in Abuja and is returning home to mourn after witnessing
funeral prayers in the nation’s capital.”
The governor directed the reduction, by two hours, of closing time for workers during the three days of mourning.
The All Progressives Congress in Bauchi
State also mourned the passing of one of their own. State secretary of
the party, Buhari Disina, said at Wakili’s Bauchi residence, “We lost a
big figure. We cannot even explain or express our feelings in words.”
Disina added, “Ali Wakili was somebody
who was good to all his people and the party in his community. He was as
good as anything that you can think of as good.”
Speaking at the late senator’s residence
also, the vice chairman of APC in the state, Mohammed Hassan, said, “I
know of somebody who spoke with Ali Wakili and received the news five
minutes later that Ali Wakili was dead. This is one of the biggest
losses in the history of APC in Bauchi. We are praying to God to help us
pass this test because it is a very big test to the party. We have
never had a senator like Wakili in the state who has touched the lives
of many people, particularly, the poor and less privileged.”
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