Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi were among dignitaries at the National Mosque in Abuja on Sunday for the funeral prayers of the mother of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.
Others present included the 16th Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi; billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote; former minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami; and the national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Also in attendance were Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, a former Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, among others.
Videos and photos from the event making the rounds on social media show Obi and other dignitaries arriving at the mosque.
The politicians were seen seated with other mourners before joining the congregation for the Islamic funeral rites (janazah prayers).
Atiku also announced his attendance in a post on his X handle, stating, “Today, I joined family, friends, and associates of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and the extended El-Rufai family at the Janazah (funeral prayer) of the matriarch of the family, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.
“May God continue to comfort the family and all who mourn her. And may Allah grant her Aljannah Firdaus. Amin.”
Hajiya Umma El-Rufai passed away on Friday in Cairo, Egypt, where she had been receiving treatment for an age-related illness.
