By Ken Afor
The death of Bukar Abba Ibrahim, a former governor of Yobe State, signaled a end of an era in Yobe politics, according to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Don Obot Etiebet, CON.
Etiebet made this known on Sunday following the sudden demise of Abba Ibrahim, at the age of 75.
Late Abba Ibrahim, Yobe’s first civilian governor from January 1992 to November 1993, reportedly died while receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed illness in Saudi Arabia.
Etiebet, in a statement released on Sunday evening, described his late friend as a grassroots politician who brought unprecedented developments to the rural areas while he was the governor of the state.
According to the former minister, late Abba Ibrahim contributed to increasing the literacy level of the state by paying parents to release their children to school.
His words, “Oh, an Icon of North East politics has passed. It’s really the end of an era in Yobe politics as he was, no doubt, the father of politics there.
“He was also Governor of Yobe State from 2003 to 2007 under ANPP when I was its National Chairman.
“As a grassroots politician, I witnessed him take developments to the rural areas and to the masses of the State including paying parents to release their children to go to school which was most commendable in a State of very low level of education at that time.
“He named one of the big Residential and popular Estates in Damaturu after me.
“I join His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni and the good people of Yobe State to mourn his demise.
“I shall miss him greatly.
“May his soul rest in peace. May God give his family the grace to withstand the irreparable loss with fortitude. Amen.”
It would be recalled that late Abba Ibrahim, after his two terms as the governor of the state between 1999 and 2007, was elected as a Senator in 2007.
His wife currently serves as a member of the House of Representatives for Gujba, Gulani, Damaturu, and Tarmuwa Federal Constituency.
