Two serving members of the Kano State House of Assembly died on Tuesday within hours of each other, throwing the legislature and the state’s political community into mourning.
The deceased lawmakers are Sarki Aliyu Daneji, who represented Kano Municipal Local Government Area, and Aminu Sa’adu, the member for Ungoggo Local Government Area.
Confirmation of Daneji’s death was announced by the spokesperson to the Kano State Governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, in a post on his official Facebook page. His passing was reported shortly after news emerged of the death of Sa’adu.
Earlier, the Press Secretary of the House of Assembly, Kamaludeen Sani Shawai, confirmed the death of Sa’adu, saying the lawmaker took ill shortly after arriving at the Assembly complex.
Shawai said Sa’adu was rushed to hospital for medical attention but later died.
“The lawmaker fell ill shortly after arriving at the Assembly and was taken to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead,” he said, adding that the late legislator was to be buried at about 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday in line with Islamic rites.
The deaths sparked grief across the Assembly and their respective constituencies, with colleagues and constituents paying tributes to the late lawmakers, who were described as committed representatives and grassroots politicians.
As news of the deaths spread, legislative activities at the Assembly were subdued, with members and staff expressing shock over the rare double tragedy.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Government and the leadership of the House of Assembly had yet to issue a comprehensive official statement, though condolences continued to pour in from political leaders and members of the public.
Shock as Kano Assembly lawmakers die hours apart
