In Death Political ‘Foes’ Praise Balarabe Musa

By Chuks Ekpeneru

Former Kaduna State Governor, Balarabe Musa who was said to have died of a heart attack in the early hours of Wednesday, will be remembered as a vocal critic who never shied away from lending his voice on critical national issues.

Musa has also been hailed by all and sundry for being consistent in his politics with the notable fact that he never deviated from his Peoples Redemption Party, PRP throughout his political life.

Remarkably, following his death, many of those he assailed in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC at the various times they held office have come to idolize him preaching that Nigerians should follow his path!

Among those who have hailed him are the PDP, President Muhammadu Buhari, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who described him as a father, Senator David Mark among many others.

Last August he described Buhari as a woeful failure and especially over the high level of insecurity and killings in the country, mostly in Southern Kaduna.

However, in mourning his death, President Buhari described him as “a voice for the voiceless” saying the former governor left a bold footprint on Nigeria’s democracy.

He added that the former governor’s role in promoting good governance and development would always be remembered and appreciated by posterity.

In his testimonial of Musa, Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said the deceased was very uncompromising who stood for his convictions in 1981 when he was impeached.

“He stood unwaveringly by his convictions even at the height of his impeachment by the NPN controlled State Assembly in 1981

According to former President of the Senate, David Mark, “Balarabe Musa while alive was a voice for the voiceless.

“He was bluntly frank, courageous and steadfast. The late politician never shied away from fighting for justice. He also called a spade its proper name,” Mark said.

The late governor had harsh words for the PDP throughout its 16 years in power.

But in death, the party described him as steadfast, with patriotic contributions and zeal in fighting for the unity, stability and development of the nation.

A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said Musa was a forthright leader, an embodiment of ideals, who spent a better part of his life championing the entrenchment of justice, equity, fairness and rule of law in every sector.

Perhaps none was as touching as the message from Comrade Oshiomhole who described the late Balarabe Musa as a father with whom he frequently shared thoughts and ideals.

The former labour activist said that even at a time that Musa was known to have become very sick that they regularly spoke on telephone and shared counsels.

He said:

“Only recently we had a robust telephone conversation which was more like a reminiscence of the good old days, when politics was played along ideological persuasions.

“He was loud and firm, as usual, espousing his thoughts about building a united Nigeria where tribes and tongues no longer matter in deciding our nationality.”

Given the various adulations Balarabe Musa has received many are wondering why he was treated like a pariah by the political class. Many who were in authority and who had the power to project the ideals that Musa espoused in his life time neither identified with those ideas nor even related with him.

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