By Henry Umoru

ABUJA- FORMER President of the Senate, Senator Lawan, APC, Yobe North has described the late first civilian Governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim as a politician and public servant who recorded significant achievements as Governor.

The former Yobe State Governor, according to reports, died in Saudi Arabia after a prolonged illness.

In a statement her signed on Sunday, Lawan said that Senator Bukar was also an outstanding legislator and a bridge builder who worked tirelessly to promote peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.

According to him, Senator Bukar served for a total of 10 years as Governor. He served as the first civilian Governor of Yobe State from January 1992 to November 1993; and was again elected to serve in that capacity between 29 May 1999 – 29 May 2003; and 29 May 2003 – 29 May 2007.

Reacting to the news of his death, the former President of the Senate said, “I received the shocking news of the death of former Governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, with a heavy heart.

“Senator Ibrahim was a committed leader, and a dedicated politician and public servant who contributed immensely to the development of Yobe State and Nigeria in general.

“During his tenure as Governor from 1999 to 2007, Yobe State witnessed significant progress in various sectors, including education, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.

“He introduced a free education program in Yobe State in 2004, which provided free education to primary and secondary school students in the state. This program helped to increase school enrollment and reduce the illiteracy rate in the state.

“He was an outstanding legislator who represented Yobe East Senatorial District in the National Assembly from 2007 to 2019. He served as Chairman and Member of several Senate Committees.

“Senator Ibrahim was a true democrat and a bridge builder who worked tirelessly to promote unity, peace, and progress in Nigeria.

“He will be sorely missed for his immense contributions to the development of his senatorial district, our dear state, and Nigeria.

“I express my heartfelt condolences to his family, the Yobe State Government, and, indeed, all Nigerians who mourn his loss.

“May Almighty Allah (SWT) grant his soul Aljannatul Firdaus. Amin.”

Also, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North has commiserated with the government and the entire people of Yobe State over the death of the first elected governor of the state, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim.

Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who died on Sunday at the age of 75, was first elected governor of Yobe State in 1992. In 1999, he was again elected and he governed the state for eight years – from 1999 to 2007. For 12 years (2007 to 2019), he represented the Yobe East Senatorial District at the Senate.

Senator Barau, in a statement by his media Adviser, Ismail Mudashir, described the deceased as an astute politician and leader who served the state and the country meritoriously.

While praying to Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and admit him to Jannatul Firdausi, Senator Barau urged his family and all those he left behind to take solace in the fact that he lived a righteous life dedicated to the service of Allah and humanity.

The Deputy President of the said, “Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim dedicated his life to the service of Allah, humanity, the state and the country as a whole. As a governor, he worked for the transformation of Yobe State and as a senator, he contributed immensely to lawmaking and other parliamentary activities throughout his 12 years in the Upper Chamber.

” May Allah SWT grant him Jannatul Firdausi. Our prayers are with the state government, his immediate family and all other persons he left behind. May Allah give them the strength to bear his passage.”