Posted by From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja on
Lokoja the Kogi State capital was thrown into palpable quietude and mourning early yesterday following the suden death of Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Mohammed Shaaba.
Lokoja the Kogi State capital was thrown into palpable quietude and mourning early yesterday following the suden death of Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Mohammed Shaaba.
He who was said to have complained of stomach ache shortly after he had his Suhur-early morning food for Muslim on Ramadan, died on the way to the hospital before help could reach him
On the day of his death, Shaaba was billed to flag off campaign for his House of Representatives ambition at his Kupa South ward.
Just three days ago, the House organised an immortalisation and launch of educational endowment fund for the children of three members of the House who also died in mysterious circumstances.
On the occasion, the late Speaker admonished his colleagues not to be dampened about the death of their late colleague but to see the vacuum created behind by the deceased as a challenged to move the state forward.
His last official outing was on Tuesday where he presided over the House sitting where members unanimously adopted the endorsement of Governor Ibrahim Idris for second term in office. The motion was moved by Hon. Alfred Bello representing Kabba/Bunu Constituency.
Born 42 years ago, Shaaba became the Speaker of the House September in 2005 after the impeachment of Hon. Baba Jubril. He hailed from Kupa town in Lokoja Local Government Area of the state. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites.
His demise has brought, the death toll in the House to four. Those who died before him are Hon. Omanayin representing Okehi constituency, who died in 2003, Hon. Nana Ojeba the only female legislator who also died in an accident in 2004 and Hon Mohammed Onusagba who died also in an accident early this year.
Apart from the lawmakers who have died in mysterious circumstances, Daily Sun gathered that no fewer than eight notable political figures in the state have also died in similar circumstances.
Top on the list are Senator A.T. Ahmed, a guber aspirant, Samuel Bagudu, House of Representatives aspirant, Luke Shigaba Chairman Bassa Local Government Area, Hon Dan Kadiri Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Philip Olorunnipa SIEC Boss, and the Council Leader, Yagba East Local Government Area among others