President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, mourned a former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, describing him as “a voice for the voiceless.”
Buhari’s position on the deceased was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled, ‘President Buhari mourns former Governor of Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa’.
The statement read, “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.”
Balarabe, who was the first governor in the history of Nigeria to be impeached, was 84 years old.
She said Musa died in the early hours of Wednesday.
According to her, the remains of the former governor would be buried after the Zuhur Muslim prayer (1:00 pm) today, according to Islamic rites.
Earlier, former Kaduna-Central Senator, Shehu Sani, had announced the death on Twitter.
Sani said, “Alhaji Balarabe Musa has died. May Allah forgive his soul and grant him Aljanna Firdausi. Amin.”
Balarabe, who was a progressive, was the leader of the People’s Redemption Party in the 4th Republic but stepped down as the chairman in 2018 due to health issues.