Late AVM Mukhtar Muhammad buried in Kano Buhari sends condolence message to Dutse Emirate
Crisis rocks Kaduna contractors circle
The late former Kaduna State Military Governor, AVM Mukhtar Muhammad has been buried in Kano.
The private jet that brought the corpse from London, landed at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) at 7:35pm yesterday.
The corpse was accompanied to Kano from London by his Wife, Hajiya Rabi Mukhtar Muhammed and his two sons, Abba Mukhtar Muhammad and Mukhtar Muhammad.
The corpse was received by Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his Jigawa state counterpart, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar A group known as Contractors Association of Kaduna State has disassociated itself from the Contractors Forum of Kaduna State which hitherto claimed to be the controlling body of contractors in the state.
In a letter to the Chairman Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) dated 3rd October, 2017 and made available to the media yesterday, the associaitopn said the Contractors Forum of Kaduna State was unknown to the association.
“The said secretary of that forum, Saminu Abubakar, is also unknown to us and not a member of our association,” the association and Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Abba Kyari, who led the federal government delegation to Kano from Abuja.
The corpse was conveyed to the Emir’s palace by a Nigerian Air Force Ambulance.
At the Emir’s palace, Daily Trust learnt that thousands of Muslims stormed Kofar Kudu, venue of the prayer around 4pm with a view to attending the funeral prayer.
Our correspondent also learnt that the grave where the late Muhammad was laid to rest was dug since 12pm.
The late AVM Mukhtar Muhammad died in a London hospital on Sunday after a protracted illness.
Meanwhile, President Mohammed Buhari yesterday commiserated with Dutse Emirate Council over the death said, adding, “Concerning the UBE 2014 intervention procurement exercise, members of this association are generally satisfied with the process followed from pre-qualification, financial bidding, award and implementation of the projects. It is unfortunate that unknown persons of dubious identity and intentions should attempt to rubbish the image of the able governor of Kaduna State and his trusted lieutenants.”
The contractor forum had written a petition dated 30th September, 2017 to the EFCC Chairman accusing Kaduna State Governor of abuse of Due Process and Rule of Law in the award of the 2014 SUBEB intervention projects. of its senior Councilor, the Waziri of Dutse, the late AVM Muktar Mohammed.
The condolence letter from the president was delivered to the Emir of Dutse, Nuhu Mohammadu Sanusi, by the president’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.
Kyari, who did not explain the content of the letter, led the delegation from the Federal Government which comprised ministers of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, Aviation, Hadi Serika, Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau and the Chief of Air staff, Abubakar Sadik.
In his remark, the Emir of Dutse also condoled President Buhari, saying the late Waziri was a very close associate of the president and he was the one who led a prayer session in the Emirate when the president was receiving treatment abroad.
And the Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong yesterday described the late AVM Mukhtar Muhammad as a distinguished Nigerian who was an unrepentant believer in the indivisibility of the country.
A statement issued by the Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Samuel Emmanuel Nanle stated that Lalong in separate condolence letters to the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaj Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, his counterpart of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El- Rufai as well as the family of the late AVM, and the Arewa Consultative Forum admonished all leaders across the country to learn from the virtues of the deceased as they commit themselves to the Nigerian project.