Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday, led a delegation from the National Assembly to Daura, Katsina State, to offer condolences to Governor Dikko Radda following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Akpabio, who once served under Buhari as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, paid tribute to the former president, calling him a symbol of integrity and a leader who gave his all to Nigeria, both in uniform and in civilian office.
He shared that the delegation initially tried to make the trip on Tuesday but had to return due to a closed runway at Katsina airport, which forced their plane to circle for hours before diverting to Abuja. “We made sure to come back today,” Akpabio said, “because Buhari deserves that respect.”
Reflecting on Buhari’s time in leadership, Akpabio spoke of his humility, discipline, and strong sense of duty. He also recalled insisting that the Faculty of Law he helped establish at the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, be named in Buhari’s honour instead of his own. “That’s the kind of respect we had for him,” he said, drawing applause.
The Senate President also acknowledged Governor Radda’s efforts in governance and reminded the audience of the shared history between Katsina and Akwa Ibom States, both of which were created in 1987. “Development comes from love for the people, not just funding,” he added.
Governor Radda, in his remarks, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the visit. He shared his personal bond with Buhari, describing him as a father figure who mentored with sincerity and wisdom. “After he retired, I visited him regularly—every two or three weeks,” Radda said. “He always told me to fear God, serve with fairness, and stay loyal to the country.”
He described Buhari as someone who may have seemed distant from the outside, but was warm and deeply inspirational to those who knew him well. “His loss is deeply felt—not just in Katsina, but across the country,” he said.
The delegation included several senators: Chief Whip Tahir Munguno, Ali Ndume, Saliu Mustapha, Benson Agadaga, Munir, Sani Zangon Daura Jr., and Asuquo Ekpenyong.
