By Lanre Oloyede
A high-powered delegation of the Federal Government, alongside chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition political parties, on Thursday converged on Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, to commiserate with the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar 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 condolences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the former Zamfara State governor and his family.
Akume, who delivered the President’s condolence message, 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 return to Allah, occurring according to 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 for the forgiveness of Hajiya Jibril’s sins, acceptance of her good deeds and Allah’s mercy upon her soul, while expressing hope that she would be granted a place among the righteous.
Responding, Yari expressed appreciation 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 identify with the family during the period of mourning.
Yari described the visit as a source of comfort, encouragement and strength to him and his family.
He prayed for Allah’s continued guidance, protection and blessings upon President Tinubu, the SGF, members of the delegation 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.
Among those who accompanied the SGF were Niger State Governor, Umar Bago; APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru; former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha; and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The condolence visit also attracted prominent opposition figures, underscoring the political breadth of support for Yari during the period of mourning.
Former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, accompanied by Senator Abdul Ningi, represented the African Democratic Congress (ADC) delegation.
Similarly, Senator Tony Nwoye led members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on the condolence visit.
The presence of senior figures from the governing APC and opposition parties at the gathering gave the funeral visit a notable political dimension, although the delegations were in Talata Mafara primarily to sympathise with Yari over his bereavement.
