30th December, 2023
Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim has revealed that some former presiding officers of the National Assembly were planning to take former Speaker of House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba abroad for treatment when he suddenly died.
Na’Abba, who was the Speaker of the 4th House of Representatives died last Wednesday at the age of 65. He was buried in his home state of Kano the same day.
But in a tribute to the former speaker titled, ‘The Lion of the 4th National Assembly’, Anyim who was also a former Secretary to the Federal Government revealed that former presiding officers were waiting for the condition of Na’Abba to stabilise at the National Hospital Abuja where he was being treated before he will be flown abroad to perfect his treatment.
Abyim said the former presiding officers first met on December 19, 2023 when the idea was first mooted.
He added that the former presiding officers decided to meet the next day at the National Hospital to review the situation of Na’ Abba and how they can contribute to his speedy recovery.
“We did convene and decided that as soon as he was stabilised, every plan should be expedited to transfer him abroad for further medical assistance.
“Sadly, on the 27th of December, 2023, the tragic news of his death broke, leaving little time to seek additional medical assistance,” Anyim said.
“Hon. Ghali’s death is a national tragedy and a setback to our democratic progress,” Anyim said while advocating that the House of Representative Wing of the National Assembly Complex should be named Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba Wing as part of the bid to immortalize the late Speaker.