President Muhammadu Buhari has joined government and people of Kaduna State in mourning a former civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Balarabe Musa.
The president, in a condolence message by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Wednesday said the deceased would be sorely missed by all Nigerians, who have diligently followed his antecedents as a voice for the voiceless.
Buhari believed 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 had remained steadfast in the call for good and inclusive governance.
According to him, as the former governor goes home, he left a bold footprint on Nigeria’s democracy.
He added that the former governor’s role in promoting good governance and development would always be remembered and appreciated by posterity.
Buhari prayed that the almighty God would grant his soul eternal rest, and comfort his family, friends and associates.
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, described Musa as a progressive voice in Northern Nigeria.
The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, made the assertion on Wednesday in Lagos, in a reaction to the death of the former Kaduna governor.
Musa, who died on Wednesday at 84 years, was elected Second Republic Governor of Kaduna State in 1979 but was on June 23, 1981 controversially impeached and removed from office.
Reacting to his death, Odumakin said that Balarabe stood for something and pursued it to his death. “Balarabe stood for something and it was not just about making money, and a lot of other things we see politicians doing today. After he was impeached as the governor of Kaduna State, he has been contributing his own quota to the cause of the masses. Now death has come.
“Today he has gone and when we talk about Balarabe Musa, people know what he stood for. He had an ideal which he pursued’’, Odumakin said.
He added: “It is not about making money that other people will take over when we die. What matters is the legacies we stood for while we were alive.
“He was a progressive voice within the northern establishment. We have seen him throughout his life as a voice on the side of progress and that was what stood him out.”
Odumakin prayed to God for the repose of the soul of the deceased and comfort for his family.
He was the leader of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), a coalition of opposition parties in the Fourth Republic. Before his death, he was also the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) expressed sadness over the death Musa and Alhaji Yusuf Ladan, a prominent broadcaster.
ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Yawe, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Kaduna.
“Balarabe Musa was an active member of the Northern Elements Progressively Union (NEPU).
“In the Second Republic, he again teamed up with his old comrades in NEPU and their leader, Malam Aminu Kano, to form the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), on whose ticket he was elected governor of Kaduna State.
“Sadly, he was impeached and removed before he could execute his programmes.
“As sad as that experience was, he devoted the rest of his life for the struggle to improve the life of the ordinary Nigerian,” Yawe said.
He said that Nigerians will remember Musa as the last man standing in the war against corruption, exploitation and dictatorship.
“We also wish to express our condolence to the family of Alhaji Yusuf Ladan, a prominent broadcaster, Dan Iyan Zauzzau and a member Board of Trustees of ACF,” Yawe said.
Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, has condoled the family of Musa.
Lawan also commiserated with the government and people of Kaduna State over the incident.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Ola Awoniyi, in Abuja, Lawan described the deceased as a principled political leader who consistently championed the cause of the masses.
Lawan said the former governor shunned material benefits and remained constant on the path of his convictions all through his illustrious political career.
The Senate President said Balarabe Musa’s life personified the struggle for the underdogs, adding that his legacy is indelible and will always be cherished.
He, therefore, prayed for the repose of his gentle soul in Aljannah.
All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described Musa as a principled and committed progressive politician.
In a condolence message on Wednesday by his Media Office and signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, Tinubu said the former Chairman of the People’s Redemption Party would be sorely missed by the entire country, particularly by the Talakawas who he fought for all his life.
Tinubu said: “The passing on Wednesday of the first civilian governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, is saddening. His demise is a blow to the progressives and all those committed to the socio-political development of the country.
“Alhaji Musa was a statesman and a principled and committed progressive politician. He was very uncompromising. He stood unwaveringly by his convictions. Even at the height of the impeachment moves against him by the NPN-controlled Kaduna State House of Assembly in 1981, Alhaji Musa remained steadfast and refused to compromise his principles.
“A frontline leader of the People’s Redemption Party in the Second Republic, such was his commitment to the ideals of the party that he reorganized and restarted the same party to participate in the ongoing dispensation.
“He provided leadership for the political class. As the Chairman, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Musa led the parties to demand positive change in the political space. Although he lived to an advanced age of 84, he would be sorely missed by the political class, indeed by the entire country for his consistent struggle and commitment to social and economic change. In particular, the Talakawas who he struggled for all his life would miss him.
“I commiserate with his immediate and extended family. I mourn with the people and government of Kaduna State for the loss of their illustrious son and eminent politician. I mourn with the country for we have all lost a fine progressive. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, reward his good deeds on earth and grant him Aljanna Fridaus. Amin.”
Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, also mourned Musa.
In a statement on Wednesday which he personally signed, Daniel described the death as a painful passage and a great loss to Nigeria.
“The death of Balarabe Musa is a painful passage and a great loss to Nigeria. It is like another good part of Nigeria silently chipped away.
“It is so Sad! Nigeria has lost another Democrat, a consistent fighter and outspoken voice for the talakawas, one of the few that reach beyond the frontiers of unnatural political division in our country.
“Balarabe Musa would be greatly missed as a man who had unrepentant conviction of his political beliefs and ideology; and he was so consistent and passionate about them. He lived and died as a vocal advocate of the masses, especially the poor.
My condolences to the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai; the people of Kaduna State and members of the Balarabe Musa’s family for this great loss. I pray that Almighty Allah should console them, grant them the fortitude to bear the loss; and for the soul of Balarabe Musa to find peace with his Creator, Allah”.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commiserated with the people and government of Kaduna State over the death of Musa.
The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Wednesday said that the party was grieved by the death of elder statesman.
Ologbondiyan described Musa’s death as a huge national loss given his steadfastness, patriotic contributions and zeal in fighting for the unity, stability and development of the nation.
He described the late Musa as an outstanding democrat, a forthright leader and an embodiment of ideals.
Ologbondiyan said that the deceased spent better part of his life championing the entrenchment of justice, equity, fairness and rule of law in every sector of our national life, in spite of the challenges he faced.
“Our party commiserates with the Musa family, the government and people of Kaduna state as well as his friends and associates.
“We pray that the Almighty God grants eternal repose to his soul and fortitude to the family and the nation, at large, to bear this irreparable loss.”
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State commiserated with government and people of Kaduna State on the death of Musa.
Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described the former Governor as an icon of democracy in Nigeria and a champion of the downtrodden.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) said the late Balarabe Musa was a politician who gave his all for the people he served without expecting anything in return.
He noted that the late Balarabe Musa was a highly principled politician who saw public service as a sacrifice and not as an opportunity to acquire wealth as he lived a simple life throughout his lifetime.
Fayemi eulogised the late former Kaduna Governor as a father figure of opposition politics who spoke the truth to the governments of the day without fear or favour.
He also described the late Balarabe Musa as a rallying point of progressive politics in the North and a respected voice in the quest for a better Nigeria.
Fayemi said the late Balarabe Musa was a perfect example to prove that Nigeria still has politicians with ideology contrary to the belief in some quarters that politics of ideology is dead in the country.
According to him, the deceased stood to be counted in the struggle to restore democracy after long years of military rule which came into fruition in 1999.
The Governor urged contemporary politicians to emulate the late Balarabe Musa’s style of politics without bitterness and putting the people first in their quest for power.
He commiserated with the government and the people of Kaduna State whom the deceased served as Governor in his lifetime describing his death as a colossal loss.
“A great politician has gone. We shall miss Alhaji Balarabe Musa’s forthrightness. Our condolences to his immediate family, government and good people of Kaduna State. Our prayer is that God will grant him Aljannah firdaus.”
Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu, described the death as a huge loss to the nation.
Kalu, in a condolence message, admonished the family of the deceased to take solace in the fact that their late patriarch was a well-respected statesman, who placed the welfare and well-being of the people above selfish ambitions.
Extolling virtues of the late politician, Kalu acknowledged the prominent roles Musa played as former Chairman of Coalition of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), in enthroning and sustaining democracy in Nigeria.
He added that the former governor was a strong advocate of a just and fair society.
Kalu urged the political class to emulate the remarkable and worthy leadership qualities of the late politician.
According to him, political office holders should use their positions to advance the cause of the people as exemplified by the late statesman.
“As we mourn the demise of Alhaji Balarabe, I admonish the political class to demonstrate the exemplary and outstanding leadership attributes of the deceased in their daily endeavours.
“The late former Chairman of CNPP, was a progressive and political activist, with deep understanding and knowledge of Marxism.
“His personal attributes and character were anchored on his philosophy and political ideology of a fair and equitable society.
“The late statesman made invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and nation building, having served the country meritoriously in various capacities.
“His patriotic counsel on national issues, will be greatly missed, especially at a time like this.
“However, his contemporaries and the younger generation will continue to tap from his good works and legacies left behind.
“The late former governor lived a good and purposeful life dedicated to the service of humanity,” he said.
Kalu, while praying to Allah to forgive the late statesman’s shortcomings and grant him the highest paradise, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Kaduna state over the irreplaceable loss.
Former Senate President, David Mark, described the demise of Musa as a big blow to the struggle for the emancipation of the oppressed in the country.
Mark, in a statement signed by his Media aide, Paul Mumeh, said that the late politician was an uncommon activist and defender of the ordinary man.
“Balarabe Musa was a great patriot. He was an advocate for peace and justice. He was a voice for the voiceless.
“He was bluntly frank, courageous and steadfast. He never shied away from fighting for justice. He called a spade its proper name,” Mark said.
The former Senate president said Nigeria had lost an honest and patriotic statesman.
He said that Balarabe Musa, until his death, remained one of the best and fertile minds amongst the political class.
Mark said that the late politician departed the stage when his wealth of experience and knowledge was needed to navigate through the murky terrain of the Nigerian politics.
He said that history would be kind to Balarabe Musa,as he left fond memories and positive footprints in the sand of time.
Mark, who extended his condolences to the immediate family, government and people of Kaduna State, also prayed that the Almighty God grants the deceased eternal rest.
Former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, received with shock and total submission to the will of Allah, news of the death of Musa.
In a statement, he said: “Senator Makarfi though saddened by this heavy loss, derives consolation from the fact that Mallam Balarabe Musa lived a good life in the service of God and humanity. An epitome of simplicity and honesty, Mallam Balarabe Musa lived all his life in relentless pursuit of a better life for the poor and oppressed. The government that he led in Kaduna State between 1979 and 1981 gave practical expression to the struggle for the emancipation of the talakawa. He, no doubt, has left a legacy of humility and courage in the face of daunting odds, as well as dedication and commitment to what he believed in, top of which was his abiding faith in this country and a desire to see justice and equity prevailed in it
His contributions to both public service as well as the evolution of democracy and good governance in Nigeria, will continue to be remembered and cherished.
It is the earnest prayer of Senator Makarfi that Allah (SWT) will abundantly reward Mallam Balarabe Musa for his numerous good deeds, forgive his mistakes and also give his family and all of us the fortitude to bear this loss”.
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, in a statement, said: “It came like a rude shock. Only recently we had a robust telephone conversation which was more like a reminiscence of the good old days, when politics was played along ideological persuasions. He was loud and firm, as usual, espousing his thoughts about building a united Nigeria where tribes and tongues no longer matter in deciding our nationality. It didn’t strike me that I was having my last conversation with this great pan-Nigerian consummate politician, a thoroughbred progressive, who deployed honesty in all his political engagements. He was not just a politician’s politician, he was one who brought ideology to flourish in his political engagements and nurtured that ideal under the People’s Redemption Party, till death snatched him away.
I could still remember vividly how he appointed me into a board during his time as Governor, even though I wasn’t from Kaduna state. He never hesitated to cultivate the support of anyone who could add value to his policy focus of making governance reach the ordinary folks in the state. With a Secretary to Government in Late Dr. Bala Usman, one could imagine how robust the engagements would be. He was more concerned about delivering services than what the office could afford him. He was never materialistic. He was not carried away by the allure of power and the paraphernalia of office. He was simple, ideologically grounded, and dialectically opposed to politics of acquisition. We have lost the last man standing, the last of the mohicans, the last man who represented the ideological underpinning of politics.
Alhaji Balarabe Musa will be sorely missed. He was a father figure to me as we often exchanged telephone conversations like father and son. He never shied away from speaking his mind on any issue no matter the risk involved. He was blunt and his vitriolic “missiles” were often directed at the right quarters. He was bold and fearless. Any time he had opportunity to interact, you would find him espousing those ideals that defined his politics and humanity. Even though a former Governor, he lived like an ordinary Nigerian.
He refused to bend the ultra Left of PRP ideology to accommodate the right NPN and paid the prize by impeachment rather than keep the Governorship office and compromise his well cherished PRP ideology. He lived and died for the masses.
His life will remain a good example for Nigerian politicians and those who occupy public office. He will remain a reference point in political discourse especially on the subject matter of ideological politics. May his soul rest in peace. May Allah forgive him his sins and accept his soul amongst the saints in the hereafter.
Adieu, Alhaji, Balarabe Musa, the people’s authentic Governor and leader”.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State described the death as “a great loss to Nigeria.”
Ganduje, who stated this in a condolence message on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, said the death was a great loss to democracy and the down trodden.
“We received with shock and unbelieving sadness the death of the former second republic governor of the defunct Kaduna State, Malam Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, who passed away when Nigeria needed him the most.”
“Nigerian democracy was moulded by the likes of Balarabe Musa.
“Not only Nigerian democracy; Africa’s transition to democracy in the last decades, benefited immensely from Balarabe Musa’s in-depth concern for the downtrodden ones.
“His unparalleled concern for the welfare of the poor (Talakawas), placed him above many politicians in the country.
“The indelible marks left behind during his reign as a governor were enough reasons to explain his genuine love for the people,” Ganduje was quoted as saying in the statement, and enjoined political leaders to emulate the late governor.
While commiserating with families and the Kaduna State Government over the loss, Ganduje prayed God to grant him eternal rest.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, described Musa as a dogged and rare democrat.
Wamakko, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Bashir Mani, said that Musa’s demise had left a wide vacuum too difficult to fill in the Nigerian political sphere.
Wamakko, who also described Musa as a core patriot and nationalist, said that he recorded tremendous achievements while he was the governor of the old Kaduna State between October 1979 and June 1981.
According to him, Musa’s demise is a colossal loss, not only to his immediate family and Kaduna State but also, to the country in general.
The for governor of Sokoto State prayed Allah to grant the deceased aljannat firdaus and his family, people and government of Kaduna State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
