Balarabe Musa dies at 84
Tributes have continued to flood in following the death of former Kaduna Governor Balarabe Musa.
Musa who died Wednesday at the age of 84, became Governor of Kaduna in 1979 under the banner of the defunct People’s Redemption Party (PRP) founded by frontline politician, Malam Aminu Kano.
A statement signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Mohammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity said “President Muhammadu Buhari joins government and people of Kaduna State in mourning a former civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, whose passing will be sorely missed by all Nigerians, who have diligently followed his antecedents as a voice for the voiceless.
“President Buhari believes Alhaji Musa reflected the passion and vigour that heralded Nigeria’s independence, which steadily translated into activism for return to democracy at the height of military interregnum and has remained steadfast in the call for good and inclusive governance.
“As the former governor goes home, the President affirms that he left a bold footprint on Nigeria’s democracy, and his role in promoting good governance and development will always be remembered and appreciated by posterity.
“President Buhari prays that the almighty God will grant his soul eternal rest, and comfort his family, friends and associates”.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in it’s own condolence issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Wednesday said that the party was grieved by the death of an elder statesman.
The party described Musa’s death as a huge national loss given his steadfastness, patriotic contributions, and zeal in fighting for the unity, stability, and development of the nation.
The Senate President Ahmad Lawan while condoling with the family said Musa’s life personified the struggle for the underdogs, adding that his legacy is indelible and will always be cherished.
According to Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State in a statement “his government is proud of the public service that Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa rendered to the state and its people.
“Alhaji Balarabe Musa will be remembered, the as a progressive politician who tried in his time as governor to expand the horizons of opportunity for ordinary people”, he said
Kano State Governor Abdullahi Gandujed described Musa’s death as a great loss to democracy.
He extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, government of Kaduna state and friends and well wishers over the loss.
The governor said “the Nigerian democracy was moulded by the likes of the deceased former Kaduna State governor”.
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), in a statement said “The death is highly regrettable at this trying times of our nationhood.
“We enjoin all political leaders to remember that there is an end, power and wealth will pass away but our deeds will continue to speak for us or against us when we are no more. His life of contentment should be emulated by all Nigerian leaders.”
The Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF) while regretting the passing of the elder statesman in a statement said: “Balarabe Musa was an active member of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) where “In the second republic he again teamed up with his old comrades in and their leader, Malam Aminu Kano to form the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), on whose ticket he was elected governor of Kaduna State.
Other dignitaries who condoled with the Musa family included the Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu who described the death of Musa as a huge loss to the nation and Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi who described the style of politics adopted by the late Balarabe as people-centred.
Balarabe Musa served as Governor of Kaduna State for only 18 months as he was impeached by a hostile House of Assembly dominated by members of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1981.
