- Encomiums As He Is Laid To Rest
By Desmond Ukandu (Politics Editor)
As messages of condolence continue to pour in on the death of frontline politician and elderstatesman, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, his colleague and a former governor of the old Anambra state, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, has expressed deep shock at the demise of the Second Republic former governor of the old Kaduna state.
Balarabe Musa was confirmed to have died on Wednesday at the age of 85 by his son, Dr. Ibrahim Balarabe, who said his father died in the early hours of Wednesday after suffering from a protracted illness.
“He died today Wednesday, 11th of November at the age of 85. His burial will be around 4.00 pm today (Nov 11,2020),” the younger Balarabe told Channels Television, adding that his father's remains will be buried according to Islamic rites.
Nwobodo however described the death of Balarabe Musa as a great loss to the nation and to Nigeria's democracy. He described the deceased politician as a committed democrat and patriot who always stood for what is right not minding personal gains.
Said Nwobodo: "Balarabe Musa was a man whose love for this country is not in doubt. He stood for what is right and best for the country. Nigeria will miss him greatly. The last time l saw him, he was looking quite well. It is very unfortunate that we are losing him at this time.
Nwobodo however expressed his condolences to the governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and the entire people of Kaduna, urging them to take consolation in the fact that the late Balarabe Musa lived a praiseworthy life as a fine and credible politician. He appealed to governor El-Rufai to endeavour to support the family of Balarabe Musa as much as he could as that would be one of the greatest tribute he will pay to the memory of the former old Kaduna state governor.
However, in his own reaction, the National Chairman of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, a colleague party chieftain and political ally of Balarabe Musa, described the elderstatesman as a true Nigerian, a patriot and a forthright leader.
Said Okey Nwosu in his condolence message: "Balarabe Musa was a Nigeria original, through and true. A patriot and forthright leader takes a bow. His passage leaves a big void especially at this time. The nation will miss his leadership, wise counsel and steadfastness. I pray that the current and emerging leaders borrow from his characters of integrity, inclusion, and equity in resolving today's and future challenges facing the country".
The ADC chairman lamented that "the nation has lost one of its most outstanding statesman". He prayed the "Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest and also to grant his family, the people of Kaduna state and his political party PRP the fortitude to bear this difficult loss", the IPAC chieftain stated.
However, Balarabe Musa, according to his son, will be remembered for being honest and straightforward. He also described his father as an ‘encyclopedia of knowledge.’
Meanwhile, sympathizers have started trooping to the Rimi residence of the former Governor to pay their condolences to the family.
Former Kaduna-Central Senator, Shehu Sani also announced the death of Balarabe Musa in a Tweet he shared on his official handle. Sani said, “Alhaji Balarabe Musa has died. May Allah forgive his soul and grant him Aljanna Firdausi. Amin.” Shehu Sani also shared photos of them together
The remains of Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, second Republic Governor of Kaduna State, have been laid to rest in Kaduna, Wednesday evening. The burial was preceded by a funeral prayer led by Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, at Sultan Bello Central Mosque, Kaduna
The Sultan Bello Mosque open ground was filled with people from within and outside the Kaduna metropolis who came to pay their last respect to the one who has been described as the defender and voice of the masses.
The funeral prayer conducted immediately after the Asri (early evening prayer), was also attended by two former Governors, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi and Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, while the incumbent Governor Nasir El-Rufai who was said to have travelled out of the country, was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
Others present at his burial are; Senator Shehu Sani, Chief Judge of Kaduna State, Justice Mohammed Lawal, Alhaji Lema Jibril, PDP Governorship Candidate in 2019 election, Hon. Isah Mohammed Ashiru, former executive secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Alhaji Hussaini Jallo and several serving and former Commissioners and District Heads.
The body was then moved to the Ungwar Sarki cemetery, in a Kaduna state government ambulance with number KDGH 13, where the former Governor of old Kaduna state was laid to rest.
The trip from Sultan Bello Mosque to the Ungwar Sarki cemetery a distance of three km took over 20 minutes, as residents in large numbers trooped to bid Balarabe Musa final respect, amidst a horde of vehicles which meandered their way to the venue of the final interment.
Balarabe Musa, a left-wing Nigerian politician, was elected Governor of the then Kaduna state (comprising Kaduna and Katsina states) during the Nigerian second republic on the platform of PRP with a socialist ideology that believes in welfare of the common man, the poor.
He held office from October 1979 until he was impeached by the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN) dominated Kaduna State House of Assembly on 23 June 1981.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the prayer, former Governor Ramalan Yero described as a politician with integrity, whose virtues should be emulated by the current crop of leaders. He said Balarabe Musa demonstrated that leadership and politics are about people.
Said Yero: “What we the current crop of leaders must learn from him is his honestly and consistence in life. If you look at the politicians of today, they keep jumping from one political party to the other seeking position. But, if you look at Balarabe Musa, since 1981 when he was impeached as Governor, he never left his PRP until his death.
“He worked tirelessly for the progress and development of Kaduna state, northern Nigeria and Nigeria as a whole. So, his death is a big loss to our state, region and country at large,” Yero said. ...Additional reports from Crestnewsonline. NNL.
