Tinubu: Na’Abba Defended the Legislature

TRIBUTES FOR NA’ABBA

By Our Correspondents

President Bola Tinubu has sympathised with the Na’Abba family, the government, and the people of Kano State over the demise of  former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Ghali Umar Na’Abba.

The President, in a release issued on Wednesday by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, expressed profound grief at the loss, recalling the contributions of the late ex-lawmaker to nation-building through legislation, advocacy, and policy.

President Tinubu recalled Na’Abba’s determined struggle to defend the functionality and role of the legislature in governance, describing him as a disciplined and resolute politician.

Yahaya: Na’Abba was Smart, Dogged Leader

The Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Hon. Ghali Umar Na’abba, who died at 65 after a protracted illness.

Yahaya, in a statement by the Director-General of Press Affairs, Ismaila Uba Misilli, described Na’abba as a fine gentleman, smart politician and dogged leader, who graced the Nigerian political landscape with courage and distinction, saying his tenure as Speaker epitomised dignity and honour in leadership.

“Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba’s legacy extends far beyond his time in office. His commitment to legislative independence and his contributions to fostering good governance in Nigeria are invaluable and will be fondly remembered.

“Our hearts go out to the immediate family of the deceased and Nigerians in general in this time of immense loss. May we find solace and strength during this difficult period,” he said.

Abbas, Ganduje Mourn Na’Abba

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, have expressed their condolences over the death of Ghali Umar Na’Abba.

 Abbas in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, described Na’Abba as a lawmaker par excellence.

He said the late ex-Speaker was a dedicated, committed and patriotic Nigerian, who served his fatherland with zeal.

“Rt. Hon. Ghali Na’Abba was a special breed as a lawmaker. He showed leadership as Speaker of the 4th House. He inspired members of the House under his leadership in many ways. Furthermore, he championed the first and only successful veto of a sitting president, leading to the establishment of the NDDC,” he said.

Ganduje, on his part, described Na’Abba as a thoroughbred politician and legislator who meant well for the country.

Ganduje, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Edwin Olofu, recalled the pivotal role played by Na’Abba when he served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives to entrench the independence of the legislative arm of government even in the face of provocation by top operatives of the executive arm.

Dogara: Nigeria Lost a Rare Gem

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has paid a tribute to Ghali Umar Na’abba, saying Nigeria lost a rare gem.

In a condolence message, Dogara said that, “Nigeria has lost a rare gem, a leader like no other.”

According to him, “With a heavy heart but total submission to the will of God, I pay this tribute to an icon, an advocate of transparency, champion of social justice and rule of law who laid a solid foundation for the independence of the legislature in the Fourth Republic, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’abba, CFR.”

He described the late Na’abba as “a principled man, a patriot and leader par excellence. The 4th Assembly, under his able leadership, served as a bulwark for the advancement and defence of freedom, liberty, and strict adherence to democratic tenets.”

PDP: Na’Abba Was Forthright, a Visionary

The PDP has said it was shocked by the news of the death of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar N’Abba, describing the sad event as another huge national loss.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary,  Debo Ologunagba, the party said N’Abba was a courageous and visionary politician, forthright legislator, cultured democrat and resourceful grassroot politician.

According to him, Na’Abba believed in and fought for democratic tenets of separation of powers and independence of the legislature; freedom of citizens, equity, social justice and played key roles in ensuring the stability and growth of our nation.

The PDP recalled how  N’Abba as Speaker led other democrats in the House of Representatives to chart the framework for the rebuilding of the legislative arm after a long Military Rule.

Senators Express Grief over Na’Abba’s Death

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; his deputy, Jibrin Barau; Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele and Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, have lamented the death of a former speaker of the House of Representatives, Umar Ghali Na’Abba.

Other senators who expressed their condolences were Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North); Sani Musa ((Niger East); Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North) and Senator Godiya Akwashiki (Nasarawa North).

Akpabio, in his statement, expressed deep sadness at the death of Na’Abba, saying it was saddening for the nation to lose him at this time in its history.

“The former speaker was a patriot, selfless politician, and true democrat, who sacrificed his ambition by repelling dictatorship and instituting the independence of the Legislature.

“I must say the mutual respect and understanding that exists between the Legislature and the Executive today is a direct product of the laudable antecedents of great leaders such as Na’abba who sacrificed to institute genuine representative democracy in the country.”

Bamidele, the senate leader, described the late Na’abba as an astute, fearless and progressive legislator, who stood against the undue interference of the executive between 1999 and 2003 in defence of the independence of the National Assembly.

Ndume in his statement, noted that Na’Abba would be remembered for his principled stand for the rule of law and the independence of the Legislature.

Musa, in his condolence message, expressed shock over Na’Abba’s death and prayed that Allah would grant the late Speaker Jannatul Firdausi and all those he left behind the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

Orji Kalu described Na’Abba’s death  as a sad loss stressing that the deceased was a consummate politician with passion for service to humanity.

Lawan, a former Senate President, said Na’Abba, was a strong advocate for democracy who played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s democratic governance during the time he held sway as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003.

Bello: It’s Great Loss to Nigeria

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has expressed shock over the untimely death of Ghali Na’abba, describing it as not only tragic, but a great loss to the entire nation.

In a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Muhammed Onogwu, Bello extended heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the departed as well as to the People and Government of Kano State, lamenting hisunfortunate demise.

Bello acknowledged Na’abba’s influence as one of the country’s most impactful and revered national legislators, whose wealth of experience would be surely missed.

He described Na’abba as a commendable lawmaker, who embodied a spectrum of virtues crucial for effective governance and representation as he demonstrated unwavering integrity, upholding the highest ethical standards.

Bello further said Na’Abba ensured transparency and trust in his legislative pursuits, adding that as Speaker, he guided his colleagues with vision and inspired collaboration towardscollective goals and prioritised the well-being of constituents over personal interests.