By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sent his condolences to the family of Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua who died on Monday aged 78.
Funtua was a bossom friend and close confidant of President Muhammadu Buhari. He was also fingered as a prominent member of the fabled Aso Rock cabal.
Atiku was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections and a rival of Buhari.
But writing on his verified Twitter handle shortly after news of Funtua’s death broke, Atiku said: “Inna lillahi wa inna Ilaihi Rajiun! On behalf of my family, I convey my deepest condolences to the Funtua family over the loss of its patriarch, Ismaila lsa Funtua.
“May Allah forgive his sins and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. I pray for the needed comfort and strength for his family, friends and associates to bear the loss. Ameen.”