Jonathan, Atiku Pay Tribute To Umaru Dikko

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed sadness over news of the passing away of prominent politician and elder statesman, Alhaji Umaru Dikko.
Presidential Spokesman,Reuben Abati said in a statement “The President extends sincere commiserations to the family, friends and political associates of the former Minister of Transport during the Second Republic who also played a leading role in the National Party of Nigeria which controlled the Federal Government in that dispensation.
“He joins them in mourning the renowned political leader who, in spite of advanced age, continued to actively contribute to the nurturing and strengthening of democracy in Nigeria until the end of his life” the president said.
Further more Jonathan expressed his firm “believes that Alhaji Umaru Dikko’s significant contributions, especially his life-long advocacy for stronger political parties, greater discipline within political parties and the supremacy ofpolitical parties have assured him of a place in the annals of Nigeria’s political development.”
He prayed that God Almighty will receive Alhaji Umaru Dikko’s soul and granthim eternal rest.
Also in a tribute titled:’Dikko was a fierce opponent of unconstitutional seizure of power’ ,former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described Dr. Umaru Dikko, former Minister of Transport in the Second Republic, as a courageous advocate of rule of law, constitutionality and democracy.
The former Vice President said in a condolence statement issued by his media office in Abuja, despite the public hostility to the late Umaru Dikko, the man had other virtues that Nigerians didn’t seem to appreciate.
According to him, Dikko was a fierce opponent of unconstitutional seizure of power by soldiers.
He recalled that Dikko was the loudest critic of military rule, a role for which he said the former Minister was singled out for special punishment because he was a vocal critic of the new military rulers of December 1983.
The former Vice President said, although Dikko had his own shortcomings like every other person, he was a passionate democrat that vigorously opposed the take-over of government by unconstitutional means.
He recalled that Dikko was a lawyer, mathematician and colourful politician whose sense of logic was outstanding.
Atiku Abubakar condoled with the people and government of Kaduna State, the Zazzau Emirate Council and the family of the deceased over the demise of the prominent Northern politician.