The former governor of the defunct Kaduna State, Alhaji Muhammad Lawal Kaita is dead.
Kaita died at the age of 85, on Tuesday evening after a protracted illness in a hospital, in Abuja.
Alhaji Abubakar Lawal Kaita, a son of the deceased announced the demise of their father.
He said that the funeral rites would take place in Katsina on Wednesday.
President Muhammadu Buhari , reacting to the demise of the elder statesman, has condoled the family, the government and people of Katsina state .
President Buhari’s condolence message is contained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Shehu stated that the president, who was briefed Tuesday evening on the death of the former Governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the deceased as a complete gentleman.
President Buhari noted that late Kaita had served his people and the nation with total commitment and devotion.
“Nigeria has lost a distinguished leader. We are all saddened by his demise. May his soul rest In Peace,’’ he said.
In his reaction, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State said that late Alhaji Kaita, has contributed immensely to the development of contemporary politics in Nigeria.
Masari stated this in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media, Alhaji Abdu Labarn, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Katsina.
‘’Gov Masari expressed sadness over the death of Lawal Kaita, saying that the deceased was one of the most accommodating, generous and refined politicians the nation has produced.
‘’Politics will never be the same without the jocular banter of the deceased.
‘’Katsina state, and indeed the nation at large, will miss the wise counsel of Alhaji Lawal Kaita.
‘’For Alhaji Lawal Kaita, politics was never a do or die affair, but a vehicle for service to the people,’’ the statement quoted Gov Masari saying.
‘’On behalf of the good people of Katsina state, I condole with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumin Kabir Usman, and the immediate family of the deceased.
‘’May Allah forgive all his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest and give his family the fortitude to bear the loss,’’ the statement said.
Kaita died on Tuesday in Abuja after a protracted illness at the age of 85.
The deceased would be buried in Katsina on Wednesday by 2p.m. at the palace of the Emir of Katsina.
The deceased left behind a wife and a number of children and grandchildren.
Lawal Kaita was born on Oct. 4, 1932, in Katsina.
He was elected governor of the defunct Kaduna State under National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in between October and December, 1983.
