Ghali Umar Na’Abba, the 4th speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, has passed away at the age of 65.
The former speaker breathed his last at the National Hospital in Abuja around 3 am on Wednesday.
Born on September 27, 1958, in Tudun Wada, Kano state, Ghali Umar Na’Abba had a significant political career.
He served as the speaker of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003 as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Na’Abba earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1979.
Later, in 2004, he completed a postgraduate program on Leadership and Good Governance at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in the United States.
Known for his outspoken nature, Na’Abba was a constant critic of the presidency during his tenure as the house speaker, often clashing with President Olusegun Obasanjo, who held office from 1999 to 2007.
His principled stance on various issues made him a notable figure in Nigerian politics.
After losing his re-election bid in 2003 following disagreements with the presidency, Na’Abba remained active in politics.
In 2014, he defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and continued to contribute as a political and public commentator until his passing.
