Anxiety as 3 federal lawmakers die within one month

• As Buhari, Saraki Dogara, others mourn
  There is palpable fear and anxiety in the National Assembly, following the death of Senator Bukar Mustapha, the federal lawmaker representing Katsina North at the Upper Chamber.

Until his sudden death, the late senator represented President Muhammadu Buhari’s senatorial district at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.

Senator Mustapha’s death brings to three, the number of federal lawmakers that died in less than one month. He died Wednesday after a brief illness.

But Senator Mustapha’s death is coming less than a week after the deputy majority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Umar Jibril, died after a protracted illness.

He died shortly after the Senate is still mourning the demise of Senator Ali Wakili (APC, Bauchi) who died barely three weeks ago.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the government and people of Katsina State and the National Assembly on the passing away of Senator Mustapha Bukar.

Buhari described his death as a “great loss to Nigeria’s democracy and the engineering profession.’’

He sent condolences to the family members, friends and professional colleagues of the legislator, who distinguished himself as an engineer before vying for political office to serve his people.

The President recalled that as a young engineer, the deceased used his ingenuity to proffer a lasting solution to the perennial water crisis in Katsina, working variously as a General Manager of the Water Board, Director of National Water Rehabilitation Project and Director, Water Supply at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

The President said, “Senator Bukar was so dedicated to his responsibilities and hardworking that he got an appointment with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, where he also demonstrated the same dedication and passion for service.

“I am always touched by the death of dedicated and creative public servants like Senator Bukar. We should emulate such rare and hardworking Nigerians for the progress of our country.’’

The President prayed that Allah would bless and forgive the soul of the deceased.

In a related development, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Senator
In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, Saraki described the death of Senator Bukar as one too many coming a few weeks after the Red Chamber lost Senator Ali Wakili.

Saraki said, “I am saddened to learn about the passing of another friend and colleague, Senator Mustapha Bukar. When I and some of my colleagues visited Senator Bukar in the hospital after Jummat prayers last Friday, we prayed with him and we were filled with hope that he would soon recuperate and resume his normal life and legislative activities.

“As a first-time lawmaker, Senator Bukar stood out for the quality of his contributions on the floor, his pragmatism and his work to strengthen the institution of the legislature. We shall sorely miss his vibrancy and progressive mindset.

“But now that he is no more, we cannot query Almighty Allah over the incident because He gives and takes as it pleases Him. The late Bukar was forthright and gentle in all his dealings.

“This is indeed another painful moment for the Senate, a sad moment for his immediate family, his constituents in Katsina North Senatorial District and the people and government of Katsina State.

“As we mourn his passing, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, President Muhammadu Buhari and the government and people of Katsina State.

I pray that the Almighty Allah, in His infinite grace, grants the dear and departed senator a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah firdaus.”

Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has expressed sadness and shock over the death of the Senator Mustapha Bukar, representing Katsina North Senatorial District, who died today in Abuja after a brief illness.

Dogara particularly lamented that the passing on of Sen. Bukar is coming barely a week after the death of a member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State and Deputy House Leader, Rep. Umar Buba Jibrin and less than a month after the demise of a senator from Bauchi State, Senator Ali Wakili.

The Speaker described late Senator Bukar as a fine gentleman who exhibited high moral disposition and earned respect from his colleagues and associates while representing Daura Zone in the Senate.

“This is a great loss and painful one for that matter, especially coming at a time when we are still mourning the passing away of two of our colleagues, and distinguished lawmakers.

“Sen. Bukar was a respected lawmaker, a fine gentleman who carried himself with a lot of dignity and contributed immensely to the growth of the parliament and democracy in general. He was a patriotic politician whose exploits in the Senate were eventful.

“On behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari, government and people of Katsina State, particularly the Daura Zone as well as the immediate family of the deceased over this irreparable loss.”