The Nigerian government has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba, the fourth Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, who passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
In a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government conveyed its condolences to the Na’Abba family, the government, and the people of Kano State, where the deceased hailed from.
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Na’Abba, who was 65 years old, served as the second Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives in the 4th Republic from 1999 to 2003.
He was widely regarded as a committed democrat and a fearless politician, who championed the doctrine of separation of powers that is essential for a functioning democracy.
During his tenure as the speaker, he led the House of Representatives to pass several landmark legislations and established institutions and parliamentary precedents that are still relevant today.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation described Na’Abba as “a bold and forthright politician, respected by all, including those who did not share his views”.
“There is no doubt that Nigeria’s democracy is poorer for his passing,” he added.
He prayed that Almighty Allah would grant his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and grant him eternal rest in paradise.
A Brief Biography
Na’Abba was born on September 27, 1958 in Tudun Wada, Kano State.
He was speaker of the House of Representatives as a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from 1999 to 2003 and led several international bodies in parliament in the wake of the millennium.
He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1979 and completed a postgraduate programme on Leadership and Good Governance at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, in the United States in 2004.
He lost his re-election bid to the House in 2003.
In 2014, Na’Abba defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and remained a political and public commentator until his passing.
