The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas on Sunday expressed shock over the death of the first civilian governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim.
Governor Mai Mala Buni, on Sunday, confirmed the death of the ex-governor aged 75 in Saudi Arabia where he was undergoing treatment.
The Speaker described the death as painful, lamenting the vacuum Senator Ibrahim’s demise would create in not just Yobe and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but also the entire country.
“The death of Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim is shocking and painful. He excelled as the governor of Yobe State and as a member of the Senate. He was an experienced politician – one of the few who have been lucky to serve the country in both the Executive and the Legislature, at the state and federal levels.
“I commiserate with his family, especially his wife, Hon. Khadijat Bukar Abba-Ibrahim, who is serving as a member of the 10th House of Representatives. I also extend my condolences to the people and government of Yobe State for this huge and irreparable loss,” Speaker Abba said in his condolence message.
The Speaker prayed Allah to grant Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim Jannatul Firdaus as his body would be buried in Saudi Arabia.
Senator Ibrahim was Governor of Yobe State in the defunct Third Republic – from January 1992 to November 1993. In the Fourth Republic, he was governor of the state again for two terms – from 1999 to 2007. In 2007, he represented Yobe East Senatorial District, where he was till the 8th Assembly which ended in 2019.
His wife, Hon. Khadijat Bukar Abba-Ibrahim has been in the House since 2007, representing Damaturu/Gujba/Gulani/Tarmuwa Federal Constituency in Yobe State. She was serving her fourth term in 2016 when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed her Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. On January 9, 2019, she resigned from the Federal Executive Council to contest for a fresh fourth term in the House and won.
Ex-Senate President, Lawan, mourns death of former Yobe Governor, Bukar Abba Ibrahim
Also, President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, symphatised with the people of Yobe State over the death of the former governor of the North East state, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who
died in Saudi Arabia after a prolonged illness.
Reacting to the news of his death, Senator Lawan, in a statement, on Sunday, described the deceased as a dedicated politician and public servant who recorded significant achievements as Governor.
According to him, Sen. Bukar was also an outstanding legislator and a bridge builder who worked tirelessly to promote peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.
The statement reads: “I received the shocking news of the death of former Governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, with a heavy heart.
“Senator Ibrahim was a committed leader, and a dedicated politician and public servant who contributed immensely to the development of Yobe State and Nigeria in general.
“During his tenure as Governor from 1999 to 2007, Yobe State witnessed significant progress in various sectors, including education, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.
“He introduced a free education program in Yobe State in 2004, which provided free education to primary and secondary school students in the state. This program helped to increase school enrollment and reduce the illiteracy rate in the state.
“He was an outstanding legislator who represented Yobe East Senatorial District in the National Assembly from 2007 to 2019. He served as Chairman and Member of several Senate Committees.
“Senator Ibrahim was a true democrat and a bridge builder who worked tirelessly to promote unity, peace, and progress in Nigeria.
“He will be sorely missed for his immense contributions to the development of his senatorial district, our dear state, and Nigeria.
“I express my heartfelt condolences to his family, the Yobe State Government, and, indeed, all Nigerians who mourn his loss.
“May Almighty Allah (SWT) grant his soul Aljannatul Firdaus. Amin.”
