President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, described the late former presidential candidate under the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), Bashir Tofa, as one that will be difficult to replace.
A statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) also pointed out that beyond being a politician of note, he was also a promoter of Islamic culture and civilization.
The statement said: “The late Tofa was noted for his untiring commitment to public enlightenment and was unafraid to speak the truth all the time that he lived.
“He set up the Bureau for Islamic Propagation, BIP in the mid-80s that helped to unite Muslim Scholars in the Northern States, narrowing the differences that characterised their relationships. The BIP also published books and newspapers.”
According to a the statement, in a tribute to the deceased, President Buhari described the late Tofa as a true nationalist that would be difficult to replace.
“He was, till the end, a patriot to the core. He envisaged a better Nigeria for all. We pray that this dream and collective aspiration and necessary commitment will not go with him. We owe it to his memory and to the nation,” said the president.
President Buhari prayed to Allah to repose his soul and grant fortitude to the bereaved family and friends, the Kano Emirate Council as well as the government and people of Kano State to bear the loss.