President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Abuja expressed shock and sadness over the death of the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha.
The death was announced by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Usman Shuwa, on Saturday morning in Maiduguri, the state capital.
“It is with deep sense of utter shock and disbelief but with complete submission to the will of the Almighty Allah that the Borno Government hereby announces the passing away of Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, the Deputy Governor.
“He died in his sleep this morning (Saturday) in Yola, Adamawa, where he was to represent Borno Government at the convocation ceremony of Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology, Yola.
“He was also scheduled to follow up on his earlier visit to Yola, in connection with the welfare of Borno citizens internally displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.
“His remains would be brought to Maiduguri for funeral at the Government House, Maiduguri, at 4p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15”, the statement read.
It also quoted Governor Kashim Shettima as expressing his heart felt condolence to the family of the Deputy Governor and the entire people of Borno State for the irreparable loss.
The Public Relations Officer of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yola, Malam Adamu Dodo, also confirmed the passing away of the deputy governor.
Buhari, in a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, commiserated with the government and people of Borno over the death.
He said that the deputy governor’s death was a huge loss to the state and the nation, and prayed Allah to grant his soul eternal rest.
Buhari urged Shettima, the deceased’s family and the entire people of Borno to bear the loss with fortitude.
Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday expressed deep shock and sadness at the sudden death of the Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of the party, described Zannah’s death as a huge loss to his family, his party, his State and indeed, Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Lagos, the APC said: ”The suddenness of Alhaji’s Zannah’s passing has deepened the pain caused by his death.
”We pray that God will comfort his family and give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
The APC also commiserated with the people and government of Borno over the Deputy Governor’s death, and prayed that God would grant repose to his soul.
Also, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State expressed pain over the passage of Mustapha, describing it as “ a tragic loss”.
This is contained in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna.
Ambode said that he shared in the sorrow of his brother Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, over the sad event.
He said that the late Mustapha was a loyal, diligent and dedicated Deputy Governor.
”As a brother Governor, I feel completely overwhelmed just imagining the depth of your pain and anguish at the death of a most loyal, dependable and diligent deputy, which you had in Alhaji Mustapha, ” he said.
Ambode prayed the the Almighty God would grant the soul of the departed Deputy Governor peaceful repose.
”On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, l pray that God abides with his family, the government, members of the All Progressives Congress, Nigeria and the people of Borno State at this difficult time, ” he said.



















