...Jonathan, Sambo, Yero, others mourn
President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo yesterday commiserated with Vice President Namadi Sambo and his staff at the Presidential Villa, Abuja over the death of his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Senator Isaiah Balat, saying he received news of the death with great shock and sorrow.
Presidential spokes man Reuben Abati, said in a statement: “On behalf of himself and the federal government, the president extends sincere condolences to the vice president, his staff and all others who had the pleasure of working with Senator Balat at the Presidential Villa. The president also condoles with Senator Balat’s wife, children and relatives as well as his kinsmen, people of Kaduna State and supporters whose interests he capably represented and defended throughout his political career.
“He joins them in mourning the very affable political leader who will be remembered for serving meritoriously as a senator and minister. The president prays that God Almighty will receive the soul of Senator Balat whom he had the pleasure of working with at close quarters in the Presidential Villa over the past three years and grant him eternal rest”.
The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) also yesterday expressed shock over the death of Senator Isaiah Balat, saying it is not just a loss to southern Kaduna, Kaduna State but Nigeria as a whole. The National President of SOKAPU, Dr Ephraim Goje, said: “We are shocked that Balat had to die at this time when we needed him most.
Similarly, Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero yesterday expressed deep grief over the death. In a statement by the Director General Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki, the governor said he was shocked by Balat’s death, adding that the death was a big loss not only to his immediate family and Kaduna State but to the entire country. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu mourned the death, describing it as sad and shocking. Senator Ekweremadu who described Balat’s death as “a reality that is difficult to come to terms with”, added that the late senator was a resourceful lawmaker and selfless politician.