President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the Kanti-Bello family as well as the government and people of Katsina State on the death of Senator Mahmud Kanti-Bello.
A statement Tuesday said President Buhari also commiserated with the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria over the passage of their distinguished colleague and former Senate Chief Whip, who served two-terms in the upper legislative chamber.
“As Senator representing Katsina Central Constituency/Daura Senatorial zone from 2003-2011, President Buhari recalls that the late Senator Bello was a very outspoken and courageous patriot, who worked hard to ensure that all levels of government in the country were responsible and accountable.
“ The President believes that Senator Bello’s effective representation of his people at the national level and commitment to the unity of Nigeria will be long remembered and honoured; and will continue to serve as inspiration to many others,” the statement said.
President Buhari urgex Senator Kanti-Bello’s family, friends and associates to honour his memory by continually upholding the values of honesty and accountability, which served as his reference point throughout his public service.
The President prayed that Almighty Allah will comfort all who mourn him and grant his soul eternal rest.
Also, former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar has said the death of Senator Kanti Bello from Katsina State was a great loss to Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
The Waziri Adamawa, in a condolence message released by his media office in Abuja, said he received Bello’s demise with shock.
According to him, the role of Kanti Bello in bringing democracy into being cannot be forgotten in hurry.
He explained that one of Bello’s outstanding virtues was his outspokenness and courage to express his convictions.
“We all belonged to the Yar’Adua political family from PFN to SDP and PDP. He was an active mobilizer and real party man” Atiku said.
The former Vice President noted that, whatever might be Kanti Bello’s perceived flaws; he deserves to be given credit for his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
The Waziri Adamawa extended his condolences to the Government, the family and the people of Katsina State.
In a related development, President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has expressed grief over the death of former Senate Chief Whip, Muhammad Kanti Bello, who passed away on Tuesday.
The deceased who served in the Senate for two terms represented Katsina North Senatorial District between 2003 and 2011 under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described late Bello as an outspoken and courageous legislator, who was always guided by national interest and that of his community in discharging his legislative responsibilities.
“With the death of Senator Kanti Bello, the Senate and indeed the National Assembly has lost a reliable adviser whose wise counsel on national issues was always being sought by both the leadership and individual Senators.
“During his stay in the Senate, late Kanti Bello was known for his outspokenness, forthrightness and courage in telling truth to those in power without attaching any partisan, religious or tribal sentiments”, Saraki stated.
The President of the Senate, according to the statement believes that Senator Bello’s wise counsel, insight and forthrightness would be sorely missed by the Senate, his community and the entire country.
While sympathizing with the immediate family of the late Senator, his friends, constituents and the government and people of Katsina State, Saraki prayed that the Almighty Allah will grant him aljannah firdaus.
Equally, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has expressed sadness at the demise of Senator Kanti Bello.
The Speaker, who described the loss of the elder statesman as painful, said that he lived a life of service to the country and embodied patriotic and democratic ideals.
“Alhaji Kanti Bello was a grassroots politician who served the country meritoriously in many capacities including that of distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He left behind a legacy of patriotism and service.
“I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the people and government of Katsina State, and indeed the entire country over the loss of such a great Nigerian”, he said.
Alhaji Kanti Bello was the former General Manager of Katsina Steel Rolling Mills, where he served for over 10 years. He was also an APC chieftain and represented Katsina East Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate for two terms.
