From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
President MuhammaduBuhari formally sent a high-powered delegation of four ministers to condole the government and people of Sokoto State over the death of MagajinGarin (Mayor of) Sokoto, late Alhaji Hassan Danbaba.
President Buhari was represented by the Ministers of Justice, Aviation, Water Resources and Police Affairs: AbubakarMalami, HadiSirika, Suleiman HussainiAdamu and Muhammad MaigariDingyadi respectively.
The Managing Director of Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA), AlhajiBuhariBature and Malam Muhammad MammanDaura, son of President Buhari’s nephew were in attendance.
Earlier in the day, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State and the Emir of Bichi, AlhajiNasiru Ado Bayero had condoled the people and government of the state.
Late Danbaba, a scion of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, died on Saturday after a brief illness in Kaduna and was buried the same day in the SokotoHubbare tomb reserved for the descendants of Sheikh UsmanuDanfodio (1754-1817).
During the condolence visit which took the visitors to the Government Lodge of Governor AminuWaziriTambuwal, the palace of the Sultan, Malami, who led the Aso Rock team, said: “This delegation is that of the Federal Government which the President directed to come and condole you and the people of Sokoto over the demise of one of yourcouncillors and an illustrious son of the state, the Mayor of Sokoto.”
“President Buhari mourns the passage of the Mayor and is with you in spirit as you pray for the repose of his soul,” Malami added.
In his condolence, Ganduje described the passage of the late Sokoto kingmaker as a “great loss,” not only to the people of Sokoto but also those of Kano.
“The death,” according to Ganduje, “shook the people and government of Kano State because of the close relationship the late MagajinGari had with the people and government of the state.”
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
The commander of Kano State Hisbah Corps, Sheikh HarunaIbnSina, extended condolence on behalf of the government of the state to the Sultan.