Former governor of Niger State, Engineer Abdulkhadir Abdullahi Kure has been announced dead at the age of 50 in Germany. He had earlier been flown to that country about three weeks ago for medical attention.
The Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor, Alhaji Mahmud Abdullahi confirmed his death and said that arrangement is being made by the family to bring the remains of the former governor to the country for burial.
Abdulkhadir Kure was born on February 26, 1956. He was the Director of Engineering Services in the Federal Capital Territory before joining politics .
Late Kure was a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and became its governor in Niger State for two terms, 1999-2011.
After leaving office former governor Kure became a member of the Board of Trustees of the party.
Late Abdulkhadir Kure was a member of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the PDP.
A devastated state chairman of the PDP Alhaji Tanko Beji described the incident “as sad” adding that “we cannot query God,”
Tanko Beji said the late Governor had contributed immensely to the socio -political development of Niger state and Nigeria as a whole
“He has left an indelible mark on the sand of times ,may his soul rest in peace”.
Meanwhile, the former Nigerian Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has said that the sudden death of former Governor of Niger State, Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure came to him as a great shock.
Babangida in a condolence to the family of the deceased, Government and people of Niger, said that as a believer, “All souls must taste dead’ sooner or later. My amiable friend and companion is gone. We that were left behind are on transit sooner or later, we will go.”
He prayed for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for the late Abdulkadir Kure and urged the family, people of Niger and Nigeria at large to take heart.
This was even as the State government has declared three-day mourning for the former governor.
In a statement by the Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, in Minna on Sunday night, the state government said that all flags should be flown at half mast throughout the state during the mourning period.
According to the commissioner, Governor Abubakar Bello has also declared a work free day on the day of the burial of the former governor to enable all Niger residents accord the departed leader a befitting burial.
“Engineer Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure remains a leader who out of office showed concern for the development of the state. His statesmanship saw him jettisoning party affiliation when he personally intervened in the recent labour crisis in the state.” [myad]
