Atiku Abubakar Mourns the Passing of Hajia Umma El-Rufai
In a solemn response to the sad news, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, following the death of his mother, Hajia Umma El-Rufai. The passing occurred on Friday, March 27, 2026, marking a moment of grief for the El-Rufai family and their associates.
Announcement of the Demise
The death was officially announced by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the grandson of the deceased, through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. He shared the Islamic phrase "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un," which translates to "From Allah we come and to Him we shall return," and confirmed that Hajia Umma El-Rufai had passed away a few hours earlier. He described her as a woman who lived a life of dignity and service, offering prayers for her soul and requesting support from the public during this difficult time.
Atiku's Condolence Message
Reacting to the news, Atiku Abubakar, a prominent political figure and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, expressed his shock and sorrow in a post on X. He emphasized that Hajia Umma El-Rufai lived to a prime old age, characterized by faith and community service, and noted that her passing on a Friday, a significant day in Islam, provides some consolation to the bereaved family. Atiku prayed for Allah to grant her Al-Janna Firdaus and comfort the family in their grief.
Background and Context
Hajia Umma El-Rufai was the biological mother of Nasir El-Rufai, who served as the governor of Kaduna State and has been involved in various political activities, including recent defections and legal battles. Details surrounding the circumstances of her death were not immediately available at the time of reporting, but the announcement has drawn widespread attention and sympathy from political circles and the public alike.
This event comes amid other news related to El-Rufai, such as his defection to the Social Democratic Party and a legal suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, highlighting the ongoing political dynamics in Nigeria. The condolences from Atiku Abubakar underscore the personal connections and respect among Nigeria's political elites, even across party lines.
