PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, among other prominent Nigerians have reacted to the death former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa.
Buhari in a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said Alhaji Musa reflected the passion and vigour that heralded Nigeria’s independence, which steadily translated into activism for return to democracy at the height of military interregnum and had remained steadfast in the call for good and inclusive governance.
He stated that the late Balarabe Musa will be missed by all Nigerians, who have diligently followed his antecedents as a voice for the voiceless.
Also, former president Olusegun Obasanjo in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, said, “It is so sad! Nigeria has lost another democrat, a consistent fighter and outspoken voice for the talakawas; one of the few that reached beyond the frontiers of unnatural political division in our country,” Gbenga Daniel said.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State commiserated with the government and people of Kaduna State over the death of their former Governor, Alhaji Balarabe Musa.
The former governor died on Wednesday at the age of 84.
Okowa in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Thursday in Asaba, said Balarabe Musa, a renowned politician and elder statesman, died at a critical period in the country when his voice was needed on serious national issues.
He remarked that the deceased was an astute politician who was of the firm belief that political and economic restructuring of the country was key for progress.
He said the demise of Balarabe Musa was a big blow to his family and the entire people of Kaduna State because he was a man who had constantly called on leaders to always make the well-being of the people the focus of their policies and programmes.
The governor recalled that the departed politician was a staunch Chieftain of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), where he was National Chairman and Presidential candidate in 2003.
“The late Balarabe Musa, a distinguished administrator and man of truth, will be remembered for his patriotic calls for restructuring of the economic and political models the country is currently operating which only empowers a few.
“Upon resignation from active politics due to ill health in August, 2010, Balaraba Musa was of the firm belief that the aspirations of Nigeria could be achieved if leaders and followers resolved to play their parts conscientiously and patriotically in nation-building.
“He will be deeply missed by all and sundry whose lives he affected in many ways, especially the “talakawas”, whose course he fought in his brand of politics.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I mourn with the family of the late Balarabe Musa, the government and people of Kaduna State and the PRP nationwide,” Okowa said.
He prayed that God would forgive his short comings and grant him eternal repose.
The remains of the former Governor were buried at Isa Kaita cemetery according to Islamic rites after a funeral prayer, led by Dr Ahmad Gumi at Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna around 4 pm on Wednesday.
Some of those that joined the funeral prayers included former governors of Kaduna State, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and Abba Musa Rimi who succeeded Balarabe Musa after he was impeached.
A former presidential aspirant and business tycoon, Lema Jibril; Kaduna State Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Balarabe Lawal Abbas; Vice Chancellor Kaduna State University, Professor Abubakar Tanko; the District Head of Gabasawa, Alhaji Shitu Ibrahim Dikko; commissioners in the state and many business associates and religious leaders were also in attendance.
