Deputy Governor of Borno State, Zannah Umar Mustard is dead. Mustapha died in Yola, Adamawa State allegedly of heart attack while he was in the state to represent his governor at an official engagement.
He was said to have died in his sleep at an official lodge in Yola and was discovered dead at about 8am Saturday by his aides who noticed that he had not woken up early for prayers.
His corpse has been deposited at the mortuary as preparations are being made for his burial.
APC Mourns
Following the confirmation of the news, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday expressed deep shock and sadness at the sudden death of the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha.
In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party described Alhaji’s Zannah’s demise as a huge loss to his family, his party, his state and indeed to Nigeria.
“The suddenness of Alhaji’s Zannah’s passing has deepened the pain caused by his death,” Mohammed said, praying that God will comfort his family and give them the fortitude to bear their irreparable loss.
The APC also commiserated with the people and government of Borno State over the Deputy Governor’s death, and prayed that God would grant repose to his soul.
BUHARI EXTOLS LATE BORNO DE GOVERNOR’S EXEMPLARY COMMITMENT TO SERVICE
President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday in Maiduguri eulogized the late Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, extolling his exemplary commitment to excellence and service.
In a tribute to Alhaji Zannah, read on his behalf by the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), who led a Presidential delegation to condole the government and people of Borno State on the Deputy Governor’s death, President Buhari said that the young, hardworking politician will be greatly missed.
“His was a life of service and excellence as attested to by many people who interacted closely with him,” President Buhari said.
The President prayed that Almighty Allah will comfort members of Alhaji Zannah’s family as well as the government and people of Borno State, over his sudden death, and grant the late Deputy Governor peaceful rest.
The Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima who received the delegation in the company of the Shehu Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn-Garbai El-Kanemi, the Shehu Bama, Alhaji Kyari Ibn Umar Ibrahim El-Kanemi and the Shehu of Dikwa, Alhaji Abba Tor-Masta, described the late Deputy Governor as a perfect deputy who was “simply irreplaceable.”
Governor Shettima thanked President Buhari for his sympathy and the solidarity of the Federal Government with the government and people of Borno state as they mourn Alhaji Zannah.
The Governor also expressed the people of Borno’s appreciation of the intensified effort by the military to end the Boko Haram insurgency which, he said, was already yielding positive results.
Other members of the Presidential delegation were Alhaji Bukar Goni, the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on House Hold Matters, Mohammed Sarki Abba and the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
