Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and ex-president of the Senate, David Mark, have mourned Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and a former speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’abba.

Mr Mark spoke in a statement by his media adviser, Paul Mumeh, in Kano on Wednesday. The deaths of Akeredolu and Naábba were announced on Wednesday.

He described the death of the two leaders as the exit of two political giants, saying that their demise had created a huge vacuum in Nigeria’s political class.

He specifically noted the exploits of Mr Akeredolu in the legal profession before going into politics to contribute to the development of his home state; Ondo and Nigeria in general.

He said that the nation had lost a forthright, sincere, and unrepentant defender of the rule of law and protection of human rights.

”As a lawyer and president of the Nigerian Bar Association, he stood for the ordinary man and never compromised his professional standards. As a governor, he made policies and programmes that had a direct positive impact on the people. Mr Akeredolu was the people’s governor,” he said.

Speaking on Mr Na’abba, Mr Mark said that the former speaker was at the forefront of the struggle for democracy and helped lay the foundation for the present democratic dispensation.

He said that Mr Na’abba would be remembered as the speaker who fought for the independence of the legislature in Nigeria.

”Na’abba stood to be counted when it mattered,” he said.

On his part, Mr Abass urged political leaders to emulate the leadership qualities of the late Na’Abba.

The speaker’s message was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Musa Krishi, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Krishi, who conveyed Mr Abbas’s sadness over Mr Na’Abba’s demise, quoted him as saying “former Speaker Ghali Na’Abba was one of Nigeria’s finest lawmakers while he held sway as the number four man. Na’Abba was a lawmaker par excellence; a dedicated, committed and patriotic Nigerian who served his fatherland with zeal.”

He recalled how the late Na’Abba had an eventful tenure as speaker of the 4th House, saying his legislative exploits shaped Nigeria’s democracy. He added that “during Na’Abba’s tenure, he brought unity and stability to the House. Na’Abba was a special breed as a lawmaker. He showed leadership as Speaker of the 4th House. He inspired members and championed the first and only successful veto of a sitting president, leading to the establishment of the NDDC. Long after his exit from the parliament, he remained politically active and continued to encourage and motivate us all. We will really miss him.”

Mr Abbas, who also commiserated with the people and government of Kano State, said “indeed, we have lost a great Nigerian; a legislative pillar. My heart goes out to the Na’Abba family. My prayers are with them at this moment of grief.”

(NAN)