Danjuma said he was distressed that Suleiman died before him despite being a younger friend and associate.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Former Minister of Defence, Theophilus (T. Y.) Danjuma, on Thursday said the late Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, one of the founders of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), should not have died before him.
Danjuma, 84, spoke at the commendation service and service of songs held in Suleiman’s honour in Abuja.
Until his death on February 1 at the age of 80, Suleiman was also a nationalist and one of the leaders of the Middle-Belt Forum and Nigeria’s former ambassador to Russia.
READ ALSO:
Shehu Sani tells Buhari to expect more attacks, insults from El-Rufai
Danjuma said he was distressed that Suleiman died before him despite being a younger friend and associate.
He said: “Dan was younger than me. I am a traditional man and by my culture, he is supposed to be the one to bury me, not me burying him. I am not supposed to be here but I had to make an exception because he was a good man. We had a close shave with death together.
“I always told him not to die before me but it has happened. So, I decided to show my face here and quietly talk to the family before going back to Lagos where I am based. Quite a number of speakers before me have paid glowing tributes to Daniel and there is nothing else to add.”
Also among the attendees were the President of Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, Chukwuemeka Ezeife; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao.