Barely two weeks after Ali Wakili, the senator representing Bauchi South in the National Assembly passed on, another lawmaker, Bukar Mustapha, has died.
The 63-year-old All Progressives Congress (APC) senator who represented President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senatorial District of Katsina North, died on Wednesday after a brief illness.
The development brings to two the demise of Pro-Buhari senators against the approval of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill; the first being Wakili.
As of the time of filing this report on Wednesday, the condolence register of Wakili is still placed at the lobby of the National Assembly.
In line with parliamentary practice, the Senate is expected to suspend plenary upon resumption from Easter break on Tuesday, April 10 in honour of their late colleague.
Reacting to the news, Senate President Bukola Saraki 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.
“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,” the statement reads in part.
Also reacting, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed grief over the death of the lawmaker.
He described the incident as a heavy blow to the Senate and the entire nation.
In a statement by Uche Anichukwu, Special Adviser (Media) to Deputy President of the Senate, he quoted Ekweremadu as saying: “Distinguished Senator Mustapha’s exit is a grave loss and big blow not only to the Senate and the National Assembly, but to the entire nation.
“He was a fine gentleman, quite humane, diligent, perceptive, and humble. He was a pan-Nigerian and a pro-masses lawmaker, who showed great interest in finding lasting solution to the nation’s perennial energy problem. He will be sorely missed”.
He prayed God to grant eternal rest to the soul of the departed and support the late Senator’s family, the good people of Katsina State, and the nation with the fortitude to bear the loss.
