Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, on Sunday joined family members, associates and sympathisers at the National Mosque in Abuja for the funeral prayer of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mother of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The Islamic janazah prayer drew a large crowd of mourners, as captured in a video circulating online, which showed the governor’s arrival at the mosque where dignitaries and well-wishers had gathered to pay their last respects.
Hajiya Umma reportedly passed away on Friday, March 27, in Cairo, Egypt, where she had been undergoing medical treatment following a brief illness.
Her grandson, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, had earlier disclosed that her remains were flown into Abuja on Sunday ahead of the burial rites.
Governor Sani had, in an earlier statement, expressed condolences to the former governor and the entire El-Rufai family, describing the deceased as a woman of strong character and admirable virtues.
He said Hajiya Umma lived a life defined by faith, humility and compassion, adding that she was widely respected for her commitment to family and community values.
The governor prayed for the repose of her soul, asking Allah to forgive her shortcomings, accept her good deeds and grant her Aljannatul Firdaus, while also granting the family the strength to bear the loss.
President Bola Tinubu also extended his condolences to El-Rufai, acknowledging the emotional weight of losing a mother and expressing solidarity with the bereaved family.
In a message conveyed through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President sympathised with the former governor and prayed for comfort for the family during the period of mourning.
The development comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving El-Rufai, who was recently taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over allegations bordering on corruption and money laundering.
He had been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on multiple charges, with the matter adjourned till March 31, 2026, for further hearing, including consideration of his bail application.
However, he was reportedly granted temporary release to enable him attend his mother’s burial and be with his family during the mourning period.
Watch video below:
https://x.com/abdul_haru8445/status/2038246199027777939?s=46
