General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB), the National Leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), has expressed his personal grief and a deep sense of loss over the death of the governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, the immediate past National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoye Azazi and others on Saturday the 15th December, 2012, in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa State.
Buhari said in a statement by CPC Spokesman Rotimi Fashakin that”Undoubtedly, this is a monumental National tragedy and GMB sees it so. For this reason and as a mark of honour to the dead, GMB has directed that the ceremony marking his 70th Birthday scheduled for Monday, 17th December, 2012 at the International Conference Center (ICC) in Abuja be postponed indefinitely. He has conveyed his sincere apology to the Chairman of the Occasion, General TY Danjuma and the Guest Speaker,
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah for the general inconveniences caused by this unfortunate cancellation.’
The statement said “In the same vein, all other invited guests that have cancelled scheduled engagements to be able to attend the ceremony are equally deserving of GMB’s apology. However, a new date shall be announced later.
CPC spokesman said “Indeed, this is another difficult time for the Nation and calls for sober reflection. GMB commiserates with the immediate families of the deceased, especially the government and people of Kaduna State for the great loss. May the Almighty God grant all concerned the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
