President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his sadness at the passing of the former presidential candidate in a two-horse race. Bashir Tofa, describing him as “a prominent politician, who was also a promoter of Islamic culture and civilization.”
The president made his feelings known in a tribute to the deceased that was delivered by his senior special assistant for media and publicity, Garba Shehu, on Monday in Abuja.
Tofa, who was the presidential candidate for the defunct Republican National Convention (NRC) in the failed Third Republic, died in the early hours of Monday.
Buhari described the deceased as a true nationalist who would be difficult to replace.
“The late Tofa was noted for his tireless commitment to public lighting and was not afraid to speak the truth for as long as he lived.
“He created the Office of Islamic Propagation, BIP, in the mid-1980s that helped unite Muslim scholars in the northern states, reducing the differences that characterized their relationships. The BIP also published books and periodicals.
“He was, to the end, a patriot through and through. He envisioned a better Nigeria for everyone. We pray that this dream, collective aspiration and necessary commitment do not accompany him. We owe it to his memory and to the nation. “
Mr. Buhari prayed to Allah to rest his soul and to grant strength to the grieving family and friends, the Council of the Emirate of Kano, as well as the government and people of Kano State to bear the loss.
Meanwhile, the President sent a delegation to Kano with a letter of condolence to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State.
The team consists of the Ministers of Defense, Bashir Magashi, and Water Resources, Sulaiman Adamu, accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu, and the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris. .
(YAYA)