• Ibeto, Bago leave for Germany to convey his remains
Tobi Soniyi in Abuja and Laleye Dipo in Minna
President Muhammadu Buhari monday extended his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Niger State on the passage of their former governor, Alhaji Abdulkadir Kure.
Also, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and former Senate President, Senator David Mark expressed deep sadness over Kure’s death.
The leaders mourned the passage of the former governor in separate statements yesterday, describing Kure, a two-term governor, as selfless and peace-loving politician during his lifetime.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari sympathised with Kure’ wife, Sen. Zaynab Kure, children, family members and the Nupe people on his passage. .
The president acknowledged that the former governor was a great promoter of peaceful co-existence, development and the unity of the Nigerian state throughout his life.
He added that Kure’s unselfish dedication to the progress of Niger State during his tenure as the governor and after symbolised his selfless services to his community even after leaving office.
Also in a statement his media office issued yesterday, Atiku said Kure’s passage robbed Nigerian democracy one of its finest, decent and peace loving politicians of our time.
The former vice president explained that it was impossible “to encounter Kure without respecting and admiring him ever more for his humility, gentleness, patience and peace loving nature.
“Kure looked at power as an opportunity to serve his people without keeping a ledger of ill will towards anybody, whether you supported him or not,” Atiku noted.
He said Kure’s exemplary life was good evidence that there “are gentlemen in politics, despite the widespread negative perceptions of politicians in the country.”
Also, Mark lamented the demise of the former governor, whom he described as an accomplished public servant and quintessential politician, noting that his death at this time was a devastating blow to the political class especially the PDP family
Mark said Kure was a vibrant and dynamic governor of Niger State in his days who embarked on aggressive transformation of the state, recalling his acquaintance with Kure which dates back to early 1980s when he was a military governor of old Niger state.
Mark said: “Kure was one of the brilliant and forthright politicians I have ever met. He was soft spoken but frank and honest. He called a spade its rightful name. He was truthful and trustworthy.
“Even during serious political upheavals, he always stood firm and fearless. He left nobody in doubt about his position on critical national issues. We shall miss this gentleman. We shall miss this patriot.
Ekweremadu extolled the deceased as a patriot and true party man, describing his passage as a heavy loss to the government and people of Niger State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Nigeria as a whole.
Already, former Niger State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto and a lawmaker representing Minna Federal Constituency, Hon. Umaru Bago have left Nigeria for Germany to convey Kure’s remains back home.
Kure’s former Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Mahmud Abdullahi told journalists at the residence of the deceased in Minna yesterday that Ibeto and Bago had travelled to Germany to bring back his remains.
Since Sunday when Kure’s passage was announced, hundreds of dignitaries including former political associates of the deceased have been trooping to his residence to sympathise with the family.
Among those who visited were former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, son of Military President, Mohammed Babangida, Niger State PDP Chairman Alhaji Tanko Beji and former Deputy Governor to the deceased, Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu.
The immediate past Governor of the state, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu in a condolence described the deceased as a humane and trustworthy person who took the interest of his people above all others.
Also, former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, has described Kure as an uncommon nationalist who though was the Governor of Niger State, was always concerned about the entire nation whenever the 1999 to 2007 set of governors gathered to deliberate over any issue.
In a statement from Ibori’s Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, the former governor said Kure was warm and personable, and used his friendly disposition to build bridges across the country.
“Kure raised every discussion to a lofty height and made sure that even as we represented our states’ interests, we did not forget that the ultimate interest is Nigeria’s. He was dependable, courageous, and trustworthy,” he said.
Ibori described Kure as a comrade in some of the battles that raged in their time for the soul of the nation.
He prayed that the Almighty God will grant Kure’s soul an eternal rest and grant his wife and children the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
