General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB), the National Leader of the Congress
for Progressive Change (CPC), expresses personal grief and a deep
sense of loss over the death of the governor of Kaduna State, Sir
Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, the immediate past National Security Adviser,
General Andrew Owoye Azazi and others on Saturday the 15th December,
2012, in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa State. Undoubtedly, this is a
monumental National tragedy and GMB sees it so.
For this reason and as a mark of honour to the dead, GMB has directed that the ceremony marking his 70th Birthday scheduled for Monday, 17th
December, 2012 at the International Conference Center (ICC) in Abuja
be postponed indefinitely. He has conveyed his sincere apology to the
Chairman of the Occasion, General TY Danjuma and the Guest Speaker,
Bishop Matthew Hazzan Kukah for the general inconveniences caused by
this unfortunate cancellation. In the same vein, all other invited
guests that have cancelled scheduled engagements to be able to attend
the ceremony are equally deserving of GMB’s apology. However, a new
date shall be announced later.
Indeed, this is another difficult time for the Nation and calls for
sober reflection. GMB commiserates with the immediate families of the
deceased, especially the government and people of Kaduna State for the
great loss. May the Almighty God grant all concerned the fortitude to
bear the irreplaceable loss.
God bless Nigeria.
Rotimi Fashakin (Engr.)
National Publicity Secretary, CPC.
(Sunday, 16th December, 2012).
