Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Saturday received a stream of political allies, associates, and sympathisers at his Abuja residence following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.
She passed away on Friday in Cairo, Egypt, after a period of illness, prompting an outpouring of condolences from across Nigeria’s political landscape.
The condolence visits came shortly after El-Rufai was granted temporary leave from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he had been detained since February over allegations of financial misconduct.
His release, granted on compassionate grounds, enabled him to participate in the funeral rites and receive mourners during the period of bereavement.
Among the prominent figures who visited was former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who led a delegation to express solidarity with the grieving family.
In a message shared on his X handle, Atiku described the loss as deeply painful and extended prayers for the deceased.
“This evening, I led a delegation on a condolence visit to the family of Mallam @elrufai at his Abuja residence, standing in solidarity with them during this deeply difficult time following the irreplaceable loss of a beloved mother.
“I share with Mallam the deep pain of this loss, and we prayed for the repose of the soul of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.
”I was pleased to observe that Mallam remains strong in faith, his spirit unbroken, and he is not downcast.
”I encouraged him to be strengthened in faith, for this too shall pass. May the soul of Mama be granted a place in paradise.”
Also present at the residence was former Minister of Transportation and former-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, alongside former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and other notable political figures were equally in attendance, joining in prayers and offering words of comfort to the bereaved family.
The visits underscore the widespread sympathy extended to El-Rufai, as political leaders across party lines gathered to honour the memory of his late mother and support him during the mourning period.
