Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State on Sunday joined a host of mourners at the National Mosque, Abuja, for the janazah (Islamic funeral prayer) of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mother of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
A video circulating online showed the governor arriving at the mosque amid a large turnout of sympathisers who gathered to pay their last respects to the deceased.
Hajiya Umma passed away on Friday, March 27, in Cairo, Egypt, where she had been undergoing medical treatment after a brief illness.
Her grandson, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, had earlier disclosed that her remains were flown from Cairo to Abuja on Sunday for burial.
Sani, in an earlier condolence message issued on behalf of the Kaduna State Government and its people, described the late matriarch as a woman of admirable virtues, noting her humility, strength, and commitment to family and community values.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Kaduna State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to His Excellency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and the entire El-Rufai family on the demise of their beloved mother,” the governor said.
He also prayed for the repose of her soul, asking Almighty Allah to forgive her shortcomings and grant her Aljannatul Firdaus, while comforting the bereaved family.
Similarly, President Bola Tinubu commiserated with the former governor, expressing sympathy over the loss.
In a message conveyed through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said he shared in El-Rufai’s grief, recalling his own experience of losing a mother.
The death occurred amid El-Rufai’s ongoing legal battle with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over allegations bordering on corruption and money laundering.
He had been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge, with proceedings adjourned until March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
However, the former governor was reportedly released from the commission’s custody to enable him attend his mother’s burial rites and be with his family.