By Mohammed Bello
Bauchi
Bauchi State government has declared three days of mourning to honour the late Senator Ali Wakili, representing Bauchi South in the National Assembly.
Wakili died in Abuja on Saturday, March 17, 2018.
In a condolence message, Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State described Wakili’s sudden death at the weekend as shocking.
“His passage is a great loss not only to his constituents but the entire nation. His vibrant contributions on the floor of the Senate chamber would be greatly missed.
“Such interventions have contributed in shaping national discourse,” said the governor.
While declaring a three-day mourning for the late senator during which time flags will fly at half mast, the governor also suspended all state duties in Abuja.
The governor similarly directed the reduction, by two hours, of closing time of workers during the three days of mourning.
He however prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed legislator.
Meanwhile, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Bauchi State chapter has expressed shock over the death of Senator Ali Wakili.
The state Secretary of the party, Buhari Disina, said, “The news is actually a shocking as you journalists would say a breaking news. This is a very serious issue to us in the state and the community he represents. We lost a big figure that we cannot even explain or express our feelings in words”.
Disina said that the late Senator Wakili could best be described by his works to the people of his constituency, Bauchi South and every Nigerian and individual that came across him.
He said, “Wakili was one who was good to all his people and the party in his community. He was as good as anything that you can think of as good”.
The late Senator Ali Wakili was born in 1960 at Lere District Tafawa Balewa Local Government Council of Bauchi State.
Wakili attended Lere Primary School and completed his primary education in the year 1972.
He later he went to Government Secondary Damaturu where he obtained his senior school certificate before proceeding to Bauchi College for Arts and Science in 1979.
In his quest for education, Wakili proceeded to Bayero University Kano where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Arts in 1982.
He further attended Nigerian Customs Training School Lagos in 1984 and Infantry Centre and School Jaji 1991.
In 2005 general elections he contested for Bauchi South senatorial seat and won on the platform of APC.
He left behind 11 children and two wives.
