The Digest:
President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani have commiserated with former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, in a rare show of unity that cuts across recent political differences. The messages of sympathy come amid strained relations between El-Rufai and some figures in the current administration, including his exclusion from the federal cabinet and subsequent defection to the opposition African Democratic Congress.
Key Points:
- President Tinubu expressed "profound condolences," describing the deceased as a matriarch who raised children and grandchildren who have contributed significantly to Nigeria.
- NSA Ribadu, who has had a sour political relationship with El-Rufai, recalled "fond memories of shared moments" and described the late Hajiya Umma as a caring maternal figure.
- Governor Uba Sani, El-Rufai's successor in Kaduna, described her as "a woman of rare grace, moral clarity, and quiet strength."
- The condolences come despite El-Rufai's recent political distance from the Tinubu administration and his defection to the ADC.
- Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokri also extended condolences, with Omokri quoting the Quran: "From God we came, and to Him we must return."
As political rivals set aside their differences to mourn, the outpouring of condolences underscores how personal tragedy can momentarily bridge divides in Nigeria's often fractious political landscape.
Sources: Premium Times
