Bashir Othman Tofa, presidential candidate in the June 12, 1993 election, says his opinion of
Abba Kyari changed with just one incident.
The chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari died on
Friday after contracting COVID-19.
In a short tribute, Tofa said he met Kyari only thrice
during his lifetime.
He said: “I really cannot claim to know Malam Abba Kyari in
any measure. I met him briefly only three times in my life. The first was at
the wedding Fatiha of Tunde Sabi’u in Kaduna. He was with two people I know
very well: Mal. Mammam Daura and Mal. Isma’ila Isa Funtua.
“The second time was most memorable. For me, it defined what
manner of a person was Malam Abba Kyari.
“I am the chairman of a group we named, ‘Friends of
Democracy.’ Our major concern is the North; how it fares in the Nigerian scene;
and the security issues of our country as a whole. We also do write suggestions
to the government on vital national issues and we never get tied whether they
are appreciated and used, or not. We just do that as a duty, as good citizens.
“We discuss much on security and other matters. During one
of our extensive meetings on a Thursday, I asked if one of us who knew Mal.
Abba could make an appointment for us any time the following day, Friday. One
of us called him at about 8pm and said to him, ‘Our Chairman asked if you could
give us an appointment to see you tomorrow to discuss some vital national
issues with you.’
“When Mal. Abba enquired who the chairman was, and was told
that it was Alhaji Bashir Tofa, he paused and then said Friday was too tight,
but he would be willing to come to where I wanted at 10pm that day. And, at
10pm sharp, Mal. Abba was there. And at 10pm, my whole impression of what
negatives I read about him was shaken.
“By the time we had our meeting and he answered all of our
questions, his entire image was reconstructed in my mind. There was a true
gentleman, willing to answer any question we posed. He accepted some failings
and told us why, and even took notes. My respect and admiration for him was
multiplied many folds that night.”
He said the third time was when he led the presidential
delegation to condole us on the death of Ado Sanusi, former ambassador.
“Now, Malam Abba has returned to Allah as was ordained. He
died a martyr according to Islamic interpretation of martyrdom, being a victim
of a plague. And he died on Friday. All these were a good sign regarding his
final above which, by Allah’s grace, will be Jannatul Firdaus,” he said.
“Here, in this world, it is only after he departed that we
are learning how good and wonderful a person he was. May our prayers for him be
accepted by the Almighty, The Controller of all things, The Master of The Day
of Judgement. Aamiin.”
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