Abuja, Nigeria – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed his deep sorrow over the passing of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, the mother of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, who died on Friday.
Reacting to the sad news, Atiku released a statement offering his sympathies to the bereaved family. “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” he wrote. “The news of the demise of Hajia Umma El-Rufai is a shocking development. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the @elrufai family and friends and pray that Allah (SWT) accepts her soul and grant her Al-Janna Firdaus.”
He praised the late matriarch’s character, noting that she “lived to a prime old age in dignity and service to family and community,” and added that she was a “woman of sound faith and her passing on the day of Jumu’ah is a source of consolation to the family.” He concluded with a prayer: “It is my prayer that Allah comforts the family and ease their grief.”
Okay News reports that the death of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai was officially announced by her grandson earlier on Friday. In his announcement, he stated, “I would like to inform the public of the demise of my Grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai who passed away a few hours ago,” adding, “We are grateful for the life she lived and may Allah SWT bless her gentle soul. May He bless the soul of the parents we have lost. On behalf of our family, we seek your prayers. Thank you.”
The tragic loss comes at a difficult time for the El-Rufai family. The former governor is currently embroiled in legal proceedings and remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) following an earlier detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
