A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State and former senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Rilwan Akanbi, has expressed sympathy to a former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.
Akanbi described the loss as painful and significant to the family and those who knew the deceased.
In a statement he issued in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday, he described the death as “a painful and irreplaceable one, not only for the El-Rufai family but for all who were touched by the matriarch’s life of dignity and devotion.”
He said, “The late Umma El-Rufai lived a life marked by strong moral values, compassion, and unwavering commitment to her family and community. Her legacy would continue to inspire generations.”
Hajiya El-Rufai’s death was announced on Friday by her grandson, Bello El-Rufai, in a Facebook post in which he expressed gratitude for her life and called for prayers for her soul.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. From Allah SWT we came, and to Him we shall all return. I would like to inform the public of the demise of my grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who passed away a few hours ago,” the post read.
The deceased was reportedly about 100 years old.
Akanbi urged El-Rufai to take solace in the impactful life his mother lived and the memories she left behind, while praying for the peaceful repose of her soul and strength for the family during the period of mourning.
He also called on friends, associates and well-wishers to support the family with prayers and solidarity.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai has been granted temporary bail by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to enable him to perform the funeral rites of his late mother.
The former governor’s son, Bashir El-Rufai, confirmed his father’s release in a post on his X handle on Friday night.
“Alhamdulillah. My beloved great legend of a father (@elrufai) is being released from his unlawful and illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is a lame excuse for a pathetic institution.
“Thank you all for all the support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufais always do,” he wrote.
Hajiya El-Rufai reportedly died in Cairo, Egypt, after a period of illness.
Her passing came just a week after the death of her daughter-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai, compounding the family’s grief.
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