Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, have expressed condolences to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.
The late matriarch reportedly died on Friday in Cairo, Egypt, after a period of illness. She was said to be about 100 years old.
In a post on his 𝕏 handle on Saturday, Malami described the passing as a profound loss and assured El-Rufai of his prayers and support during the difficult period.
“The death of a mother is an irreplaceable loss, and I pray that Almighty Allah grants her Aljannatul Firdaus and gives you the strength and fortitude to bear this sad loss,” he wrote.
Malami also acknowledged the challenges currently facing the former governor, who is in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over corruption and money laundering allegations.
“In this moment of grief and in the face of your current challenges, please be assured of my prayers, solidarity and unwavering support. I stand with you in prayers during these difficult, trying times. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” he added.
Kwankwaso also mourned the late matriarch in a message shared on X, describing the loss of a mother as deeply painful.
“The loss of a mother is profound and irreplaceable, a wound that time can never fully heal,” he wrote.
He, however, urged the family to take solace in the legacy she left behind.
Kwankwaso stated, “Yet, in this moment of grief, may you find comfort in the beautiful legacy she leaves behind: a life well-lived that blessed the world with remarkable children, including a son like Malam Nasir.”
Kwankwaso prayed for divine mercy and forgiveness for the deceased and urged the family to bear the loss with patience.
The death of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai was earlier announced by her grandson, Bello El-Rufai, in a Facebook post.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. From Allah SWT we came, and to Him we shall all return. I would like to inform the public of the demise of my grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who passed away a few hours ago,” he wrote.
Following the development, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) granted Nasir El-Rufai temporary bail to enable him to participate in his mother’s funeral rites.
His son, Bashir El-Rufai, confirmed the release in a post on his 𝕏 handle on Friday night.
The former governor was earlier arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged corruption and money laundering.
The case has been adjourned until March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
Several prominent Nigerians have also paid tribute to the late matriarch, including President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Her death comes barely a week after the passing of her daughter-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai, deepening the grief within the El-Rufai family.
