*Tinubu, Atiku, Ribadu, Sani Condole With Family
FORMER governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has been granted temporary administrative bail by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) after the death of his mother, Umma El-Rufai, on Friday, March 27, in Cairo, Egypt, where she had been receiving medical attention.
The bail, it was gathered, was to enable him perform the funeral rites of his late mother.
His son, Bashir, earlier on Friday announced his father’s release from ICPC’s detention on his X page, but deleted the statement some minutes later.
He had wrote: “Alhamdulillah. My beloved great legend of a father (@elrufai) is being released from his unlawful & illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is a lame excuse of a pathetic institution.
“Thank you all for all the support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufai’s always do.”
In reaction to his mother’s death, prominent Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu, former cice president, Atiku Abubakar, and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, paid tributes to the late El-Rufai, who was reportedly about 100 years old, and who death came about one week after that of her daughter-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai.
Tinubu, in a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the late El-Rufai as a woman who lived a remarkable life, raised children and grandchildren who have contributed greatly to the country, saying he quite understood the depth of loss of the former minister of the Fedederal Capital Territory (FCT), having also lost his mother in old age.
He said: “Nasir, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved mother, Hajiya Umma, which happened today in Cairo.
“As someone who had also lost an old mother, I share in your grief. I understand the depth of your loss.
“Losing a mother is a pain unlike any other. I know that no words can fully ease your sorrow, but I pray that the memories of her love, wisdom and guidance bring you comfort in the days ahead.
“I also hope you find strength in the remarkable life she lived and the values she instilled in the entire family.”
While expressing the belief that the deceased had fulfilled her earthly purpose according to divine will, the President added: “As firm believers in Allah, we are convinced that she has played her part in this world as laid out for her by the Almighty and has gone back to her maker.”
Atiku, on his part, expressed sorrow at the passing of the matriach, which he described as a shocking development.
While acknowledging her fulfilled life and legacy of service, Atiku extended his condolences to the El-Rufai family and friends, praying that Allah accepts her soul and grants her Al-Janna Firdaus.
Sani equally sympathised with the bereaved family and the people of the state, acknowledging the late matriarch’s virtues and enduring influence within her family and community.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Kaduna State, I extend my deepest condolences to His Excellency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and the entire El-Rufai family on the passing of their beloved mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.
“Hajiya Umma El-Rufai was not only a devoted mother and matriarch, but also a woman of rare grace, moral clarity, and quiet strength.
“She lived a life defined by compassion, humility, and steadfast service, extending kindness to the vulnerable and dignity to all who crossed her path.
“In her community, she was a steady source of counsel and reconciliation, nurturing unity and embodying the enduring values of faith, patience, and generosity.
“In this hour of grief, I stand in solemn solidarity with the El-Rufai family.”
Similarly, National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Nuhu Ribadu, described her as a caring figure with whom he shared fond memories.
He stated: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, the matriarch of the El-Rufai family.
“I have fond memories of shared moments with her and her motherly care. At a time like this, words can offer little comfort for such a profound loss.
“My heartfelt condolences to Nasir El-Rufai and the entire family. May Almighty Allah forgive her shortcomings, grant her eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus and give the family the strength to bear this loss.”
