Saraki, Ekweremadu Mourn Sen. Wakili

President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has expressed sadness representative of Bauchi South Senatorial District at the Senate.

Wakili, 58, died at about 11 a.m. on Saturday in Abuja.

One of his aides, Malam Lalaye Suleiman, had said that the late lawmaker died after a brief and would be buried in Abuja on Saturday.

A tearful Saraki, according to a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Saturday in Abuja, described the deceased as “vibrant lawmaker”, very passionate about his assignment in the Senate.

“This is especially so with his chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation and other committees where he was a member.

“Malam Ali Wakili is one lawmaker you can never be in doubt where he stands on a particular issue. He spoke his mind fearlessly.

“His contributions at plenary were always very incisive and rich. I find it difficult to acknowledge that he will not resume plenary with us next Tuesday,” he said.

“My heart goes out to his family, the 8th Senate and the government and people of Bauchi State over the loss of this conscientious and patriotic Nigerian. He shall be sorely missed,” he added.

Saraki prayed Allah to grant Wakili a place among the righteous in Aljannah Firdaus and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

Similarly, Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Wakili, describing him as a “diligent and courageous lawmaker”.

He said: “I received with rude shock the news of the passing on of my friend, brother, colleague and ally, Distinguished Sen. Wakil Ali.

“Senator Wakili’s stint at the National Assembly has no doubt been cut short, but it was long enough to prove himself a forthright, patriotic, diligent, and courageous politician.

“He respected his conviction and loved his fatherland. He stood for what he believed was right and worked for the unity of Nigeria.

“It is indeed a grave, personal loss to me, the Senate, and the entire nation. He will live on in our hearts.”

Ekweremadu prayed God to grant eternal rest to the soul of the late Senator and support his family, people of Bauchi, and the nation with the fortitude to bear the loss.

Born in 1960, Wakili attended Lere Primary School, Bauchi and Government Secondary School, Damaturu, Yobe.

For university education, he attended Bayero University, Kano, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Arts in 1982.