Paul Osuyi, Asaba

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has described the late former governor of Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa, as an astute politician who held the firm belief that political and economic restructuring of the country was key for progress.

Okowa said the elder statesman who passed on at 84 on Wednesday died at a critical period in the country when his voice was needed on serious national issues.

The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba on Thursday, commiserated with the government and people of Kaduna State over the death of the former governor of that state.

Okowa noted that the death of Balarabe Musa was a big blow to his family and the entire people of Kaduna State because he was a man who had constantly called on leaders to always make the well-being of the people the focus of their policies and programmes.

He recalled that the departed politician was a staunch chieftain of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), where he was National Chairman and Presidential candidate in 2003.

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“The late Balarabe Musa, a distinguished administrator and man of truth, will be remembered for his patriotic calls for the restructuring of the economic and political models the country is currently operating which only empowers a few.

“Upon resignation from active politics due to ill health in August 2010, Balaraba Musa was of the firm belief that the aspirations of Nigeria could be achieved if leaders and followers resolved to play their parts conscientiously and patriotically in nation-building.

“He will be deeply missed by all and sundry whose lives he affected in many ways, especially the “talakawas”, whose course he fought in his brand of politics.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I mourn with the family of the late Balarabe Musa, the government and people of Kaduna State and the PRP nationwide,” Okowa said.

He prayed that God would forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal repose.

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