Nigerian Newsday

By Tukura Matthew, Sokoto

Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, last week Monday, led a powerful delegation from the state to Sokoto to condole the people and Government of Sokoto State on the death of Sultan Muhammadu Abubakar Maccido III and other prominent indigenes of the state who died in the Aviation Development Company (ADC) plane that crashed in Abuja killing 96 people on board.

Governor Adamu who first called on the chief mourner, Governor Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto, and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased persons.

Governor Adamu later paid a condolence visit to the Sultan’s palace, but when confronted by reporters, he declined to make any comment, opting instead to only pray for the repose of the soul of the late Sultan, his son, Senator Badamasi Maccido and his grandson.

The governor joined other Muslim faithfuls at 5:33 pm for the funeral prayers of Senators Maccido and Sule Yari Gandi, who also died in the plane crash together with the late Sultan.

A statement issued by Governor Adamu’s Director of Communications, Dr. Samuel Jimba issued after the governor’s visit to Sokoto read in part: "We are all deeply devastated and traumatized by this monumental calamity that has again befallen Mr. President (the fourth in about one year) and do pray that Almighty Allah will comfort and console Mr. President at this time of national bereavement".

The governor in the statement condoled the Sokoto State Government, Senate and people of the federal republic of Nigeria, Sokoto Sultanate Council, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and immediate families of the deceased persons.

Other prominent people of Sokoto who lost their lives in the ADC plane crash were, the deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Mohammed, commissioner for education, Dr. Sanusi Junaid , Alhaji Abdulrahaman Shagari, who until his death was the special adviser (political) to the senate president, Ken Nnamani, among others.

Governor Adamu’s delegation to Sokoto included the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Isa Mustapha Agwai I, the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Muhammadu Chindo Yamusa II, Emir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Hassan Ahmed II, the Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Ahmadu Ogah, the Osana of Keana, Senator Emmanuel Elayo, Sangarin Awe, Alhaji Abubakar Umar II, Sarkin Kwandere, Alhaji Ahmadu Al-makura and other graded emirs and chiefs in the state.

Meanwhile Sokoto, the seat of the caliphate, has continued to witness influx of personalities on condolence visit.