Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that former Nasir El-Rufai remains strong in faith and resilient despite the loss of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.
Atiku disclosed this in a post on his X platform on Saturday after leading a delegation on a condolence visit to El-Rufai at his residence in Abuja.
According to him, the visit was aimed at standing in solidarity with the former governor and his family following what he described as the painful and irreplaceable loss of his mother.
“I share with Mallam the deep pain of this loss, and we prayed for the repose of the soul of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai,” Atiku stated.
He added that he was encouraged by El-Rufai’s composure and resilience during the difficult period.
“I was pleased to observe that Mallam remains strong in faith, his spirit unbroken, and he is not downcast. I encouraged him to remain steadfast, for this too shall pass,” he said.
Separately, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, also paid a condolence visit, expressing sympathy with the grieving family.
In a message posted on his X platform, Malami prayed for the repose of the deceased and strength for the bereaved family.
“I extended my heartfelt sympathies and prayed Almighty Allah grants her eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus, and gives the family the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
Other prominent political figures, including former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, were also reported to have visited El-Rufai to offer condolences.
The condolence visits came as family, friends, and associates continued to mourn the passing of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who died in Cairo on Friday after a period of illness.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai recently returned to his Abuja residence after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission granted him temporary release on compassionate grounds to attend his mother’s burial.
He has been in custody since February 18 over allegations of financial misconduct and is also facing separate prosecution by the Department of State Services over alleged phone-tapping claims involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 23 for his arraignment in the case.