…Says late president was ‘selfless leader who contributed to unity, progress of Nigeria’

Kaduna was agog on Friday as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stormed the state to attend the wedding fatiha of Nasirudeen, a son of former Zamfara state governor and senator, Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar.

The wedding, which took place at the historic Sultan Bello Mosque, Unguwar Sarki, drew top political leaders, traditional rulers, religious figures, and captains of industry from across the country.

President Tinubu, who was received at the Kaduna International Airport by Governor Uba Sani, was later cheered into the city by throngs of party loyalists and residents who lined the streets waving banners and chanting solidarity songs.

After the wedding, the president proceeded to the residence of the late President, Muhammadu Buhari, to condole with his widow, Aisha, and other family members.

He described Buhari as “a selfless leader whose contributions to the unity and progress of Nigeria remain indelible,” assuring the family of his continued support.

Those who graced the occasion included Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi state; Governor Umar Bago of Niger state; Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina state; the governor of Kwara state, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak, and the Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle.

 Others were former Governors Sule Lamido of Jigawa state; Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto state; Abdullahi Adamu Aliero of Kebbi state; Ahmad Sani Yarima of Zamfara state; Abdulfatai Ahmed of Kwara state, and Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state.

Also, in attendance were a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd); former Minister of Communications, Isa Ali Pantami; APC National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda; APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Top traditional rulers who added colour to the ceremony included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Ojaja II; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade, and the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamali.

Among the clerics were renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Kabiru Gombe, Sheikh Bala Lau, and the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna state chapter, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, who both prayed for the couple and for peace in the country.

The groom, Nasirudeen Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar, tied the knot with Safta Shehu Idris, daughter of Alhaji Shehu Tahir Malumfashi.