There was an outpouring of condolences over the death of the Deputy governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, with President Muhammadu Buhari leading the throng of mourners and sympathisers.

Buhari expressed shock and sadness over the death of Mustapha.

The President in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina commiserated with the government and people of Borno over the death.

He said that the deputy governor’s death was a huge loss to the state and the nation, and prayed Allah to grant his soul eternal rest.

President Buhari urged Gov. Kashim Shettima, the deceased’s family and the entire people of Borno to bear the loss with fortitude.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has also expressed deep shock and sadness at the sudden death of the Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of the party, described Zannah’s death as a huge loss to his family, his party, his State and indeed, Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Lagos, the APC said: ”The suddenness of Alhaji’s Zannah’s passing has deepened the pain caused by his death.

”We pray that God will comfort his family and give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

The APC also commiserated with the people and government of Borno over the Deputy Governor’s death, and prayed that God would grant repose to his soul.

Similarly, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State expressed deep pain over the passage of Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, describing it as “ a tragic loss”.

This is contained in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna.

Ambode said that he shared in the sorrow of his brother Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, over the sad event.
He said that the late Mustapha was a loyal, diligent and dedicated Deputy Governor.

”As a brother Governor, I feel completely overwhelmed just imagining the depth of your pain and anguish at the death of a most loyal, dependable and diligent deputy, which you had in Alhaji Mustapha, ” he said.

Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa, Secretary to the State Government, said that Mustapha died in his sleep Saturday morning in Yola, Adamawa, where he was to represent Borno Government at the convocation ceremony of Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology, Yola.

He was also scheduled to follow up on his earlier visit to Yola, in connection with the welfare of Borno State citizens internally displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.

His remains would be brought to Maiduguri for a funeral ceremony at the Government House, Maiduguri by 4:00 pm on Saturday.(NAN)
LCO/BOS