Former governor of the old Kaduna state, Alhaji Lawal Kaita is dead. He died today, Tuesday after a protracted illness at Nizamieye Turkish Hospital in Abuja.
Kaita was adi to have been on life support in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, up to the time he died.
Born in 1932 in Katsina, Lawal Kaita was elected governor of Kaduna State on the platform of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), and served from October to December 1983 but was cut short by a military coup on the eve of new year.
He was a member of the Constituent Assembly of Nigeria (1977–1978).
Kaita became Special Assistant to President Shehu Shari after losing his first gubernatorial attempt to Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) candidate, Balarabe Musa, in 1979.
The deceased was a leading member of late Shehu Yar’adua’s political movement, and foundation member of Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN).
In a message, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed condolences to the family, the Government and people of Katsina and Kaduna states.
President Buhari, who said that he was briefed later today, Tuesday on the death of Kaita who he said was chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), described the deceased as a complete gentleman who served his people and the nation with total commitment and devotion.
“Nigeria has lost a distinguished leader. We are all saddened by his demise. May his soul Rest In Peace,” said the President. [myad]
