Nigeria: Inconsolable wailing as Yakowa makes final exit

BY FEMI ADI/KADUNA

Amina, wife of late Kaduna Governor, Ibrahim Patrick Yakowa told the weeping mammoth crowd of villagers , sympathizers and family members and friends that besieged her husband’s family house at Fadan-Kagoma today that her husband worked for peace , unity and development of the state in his days as governor. She said she believed also he died for the same purpose.

Though the mother of four children, wept and sobbed profusely as she tried to mutter the few words to the tearful crowd, she continued to say in Hausa, “God knows why this has happened to us at this time, so please let’s give thanks to our God Almighty”.

However, when the corpse of Governor Yakowa finally arrived Fadan-Kagoma for the funeral service at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, Fadan-Kagoma this morning,many top politicians across the country broke down in tears.

Aminu Yakowa who had earlier been condoling the sympathizer and villagers now broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Among the dignitaries that have arrived for the requiem mass at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church are President Goodluck Jonathan , Senate President David Mark, Speaker House oF Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal , several ministers, nine bishops led by John Onaiyekan, governors , Rotimi Ameachi , Idris Wada , Olusegun Mimiko and Babangida Aliyu.

Others are Peoples Democratic Party National Chairman Bamanga Tukur and former Head State, Abdusalami Abubakar.

Senate President, David Mark and other dignitaries at the church premises tried as much as possible to console the widow, Amina.

Meanwhile, a spokesman of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union , SOKAPU an umbrella body of association of the southern Kaduna people has assured Governor Mukhtar Yero of cooperation and support in the running affairs of the state.

Speaking to P.M.News at Fadan-Kagoma on the sidelines of the burial of the former governor, today, the National President of SOKAPU, Ephraim Goje said the association has accepted the death of Yakowa in good faith and is unwilling to allow his demise to create disharmony amongst members of the different religions and tribes in the state.

“Yakowa represented a symbol of unity while he served the state in the capacity of governor and to honour him, we from his southern Kaduna area are ready to sustain this virtue that has kept the state in peace and unity” Ephraim stated.

He however, urged the new governor to shun rumour mongers and gossips who will come to him under guise of friends or gaining favour to rubbish and destroy the good relationship he has established with area when he worked with the late Yakowa as deputy governor.

While recognizing that it is God that gives power to anyone , he cautioned the people spreading rumour across the state that the late Yakowa was killed by Boko Haram .

“ we need to move forward and allow peace to reign, “ he stated.