By Yusuf Bello
Borno State Governor Prof Babagana Zulum on Sunday led a high-power delegation to Kwara State to commiserate with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over the passing of his father Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho Abdul-Razaq SAN.
The Governor led a delegation that included Senator Ali Ndume, cabinet members and Borno political leaders to “identify with the AbdulRazaqs”.
“We came personally to condole His Excellency the Governor of Kwara State and the people of the state over the demise of an elder statesman,” Zulum told reporters after the brief visit.
“May the Almighty Allah forgive him and grant him Aljanah fridaus.”
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, for his part, also sent in a condolence message to the Governor and his siblings, Chief Press Secretary to kwara State governor, Rafiu Ajakaye said in a statement on Sunday.
“Though his death is painful, we shall continue to celebrate his achievements particularly as the first lawyer in Northern Nigeria and a leading light in the legal profession where he set the pace by mentoring and inspiring successive generations through his positions as chairman of the Body of Benchers and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria,” Governor Lalong said in a condolence message to his colleague.
“Nigeria remains grateful for his immense contributions to national development as a member of the Northern House of Assembly, Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Ivory Coast; member of the Federal Parliament; and Federal Cabinet Minister of State for Transport among other duties he handled effectively.
“Please accept on behalf of my family, the Government and people of Plateau State, and indeed the Northern Governors’ Forum, our heartfelt condolences. Extend our commiserations to other members of the family particularly your dear mother, Hajia Raliat Abdul-Razaq.”
In a statement late Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary Ismail Omipidan, Governor of the State of Osun Isiaka Oyetola also condoled with the AbdulRazaqs over the death of their patriarch.
“AGF AbdulRazaq was an accomplished lawyer, a distinguished public servant, loving father, community leader, elder statesman and devout Muslim, who devoted his lifetime to the service of God and humanity,” the statement said.
“While I pray to Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanah Firdaus, I also pray He give Governor AbdulRazaq and the rest of the family the much needed strength and comfort to bear the loss.”
