• Akpabio mourns
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, breathed his last in the early hours of Wednesday in Abuja, according to family sources.
Born on September 27, 1958, Na’Abba, aged 65, battled a prolonged illness before succumbing to it.
Na’Abba, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, notably served as the Speaker of the House between 1999 and 2003. His health struggles had previously prompted his medical evacuation abroad for treatment, leading to an extended period away from Nigeria. However, he successfully recuperated and returned to his home country.
Initially affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Na’Abba represented the Kano Municipal Federal Constituency, securing victory during the April 1999 general elections.
The late Ghali Na’Abba’s funeral arrangements are set to adhere to Islamic rites, with plans for his interment at Dan Dolo burial ground in Kano.
Akpabio mourns former Speaker
President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has expressed deep sadness at the death of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba.
The Senate President in a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh said it was saddening for the nation to lose Na’Abba at this time in its history.
The statement read: “On behalf of my family and the entire National Assembly, it is with intense sadness that I received the news of the shocking death of the second speaker of the House of Representatives of the 4th Republic, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Ábba, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, December 27, 2023, in Abuja.”
He described the former speaker as a patriot, selfless politician, and true democrat who sacrificed his ambition by repelling dictatorship and instituting the independence of the Legislature.
“I am indeed saddened at the news of the death of Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, a patriot, a true democrat, a courageous and selfless politician, who staked his exalted position in the fight against dictatorship to preserve the independence of the Legislature and foster national development.
“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.
“As the second speaker of the 4th House of Representatives, I recall with nostalgia how Rt. Hon. Na’Abba stood like the great wall of gilbratar against the excesses of the Executive to give the Nigerian electorates value for their votes by ensuring that the right things were done to keep our democracy afloat.
“We, at the National Assembly and in fact, all Nigerians of goodwill and advocates of true democratic ethos hold you in high esteem and will always remember that you were one politician who practiced what you preached.
“As you transit to the next world, I pray that Allah will have mercy on your soul and grant you Aljannah Firdaus. Rest on Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba.”
