Governor Kashim Shettima on Sunday expressed grief over the death of Senator Ahmed Zannah, describing the development as a painful exit of one who passionately stood in defense of Borno and its masses in the darkest days of insurgency attacks.
Zannah, representing Borno central senatorial district was reelected at the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
He was first elected into the Senate in 2011 under the PDP, during which he defeated then Governor Ali Modu Sheriff of the defunct ANPP.
The late Senator defected to the APC ahead of the 2015 elections and was handed automatic ticket. He died on Saturday after battling with an ailment.
According to Isa Gusau, the Governor’s spokesman who issued a condolence statement on Sunday, Governor Shettima was thrown into grief on receiving news about the Senator’s death.
“Every true son and daughter of Borno and indeed the northeast sub region must have taken note of the fearlessness, passion and consistency displayed by late Senator Ahmed Zannah in defense of the masses in the wake of repeated attacks by Boko Haram insurgents. The late Senator defied fears and consistently pushed authorities into rising up to their obligations to protect lives and property of Nigerians.
“At every point there were attacks or potential threats to communities, Senator Zannah was always the first to come public demanding the rights of the masses to security of their lives and freedom. He regularly stood for the masses without compromising for one second. He was stiff and firm in his convictions that were generally about fighting for the protection of lives. His consistency must have played a key role in accelerating counter insurgency operations in Borno State and the northeast in general. The late Senator’s residence along Damboa Road in Maiduguri has been permanently accessible to any citizen of Borno State that sorted relief from him after fleeing from attacks. He provided everything within his means to make life easy for thousands of citizens.
“He even encouraged many into getting involved in different forms of craftsmanship, producing marketable products as self employed citizens while taking refuge with him.
“Indeed the late Senator was one of those that aggressively but silently complimented the giant efforts of the Borno State Government and its local government authorities in supporting citizens affected by the brutality of insurgents.
“Senator Ahmed Zannah was a good Nigerian and a learned and devoted Muslim that lived a humble lifestyle despite the high office he occupied. It is for these reasons that the APC thought it wise to support his reelection in other to sustain his many good works and for other Nigerians to emulate his sacrifices, patriotism and courage which is needed in order to make all of us in positions of authority live up to our obligations to those who put us where we are.
“Senator Ahmed Zannah died at a time Borno needed people like him in an effort to overcome the security challenges in the State and sustain reconstruction processes being enforced by the State Government. The late Senator will no doubt be remembered as one who loudly defended the masses and silently supported them at a critical time and this makes his demise a painful exit of the defender of the mass, kits and kin in Borno”, Governor Kashim Shettima was quoted to have said. .
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