Govs, political leaders, others pay last respects at burial of Nasarawa senator

Prominent political leaders, including the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, and Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on Saturday converged on Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, for the funeral of the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who represented Nasarawa North Senatorial District.

The funeral service took place at St. Williams Catholic Church Cathedral, Lafia, and drew a large gathering of political stakeholders and dignitaries from within and outside the state.

Among those in attendance were former Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura; Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe; Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro; and the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Prof. Sadiq Umar, among others.

Speaking on behalf of the National Assembly, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin described the late lawmaker as a rare patriot, servant-leader and a steadfast advocate of national unity and stability. Akwashiki died on December 31, 2025, at the age of 52 in an Indian hospital.

Barau noted that the Senate would deeply miss Akwashiki’s positive contributions to legislative excellence and quality national service.

In his address, Governor Abdullahi Sule called on political, religious and community leaders to rise above their differences and work collectively for the development of Nasarawa State and the nation.

He urged citizens to embrace peace and harmony in order to sustain the dividends of democracy, while appealing to politicians to forgive one another, stressing that death is inevitable.

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While offering prayers for the repose of the late senator’s soul, Sule encouraged the bereaved family to find comfort in the impactful life Akwashiki lived, noting that he touched many lives throughout his career and political journey.

The governor further charged the congregation to remain united and preserve the legacies left behind by the deceased lawmaker.

“Death reminds us to be mindful. It reminds goodness of man. It reminds us about destiny. And the reason why that happens is because this time, as we see, it is a trend. We are all in the same trend.

“Today, as we are burying our brother, another person will be born and is joining that trend. Many times, we see people dropping out from the trend, we see other people joining the trend. And one thing that we forget constantly, which is what I wanted to say, is we allow what happens in our life every day to overtake us.

“And this has nothing to do with politicians. Because this trend has religious leaders in it, has politicians in it, has all the bishops and the archbishops in it, has all the pastors in it, has those who hear in it, and those who love in it. Everybody is in this same trend,” he said.

In his homily, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jos, Bishop Matthew Ishaya Audu, described the late senator as a devoted Christian, a grassroots politician and an illustrious Nigerian.

He reminded the congregation of the certainty of death and the mortality of man, urging Christians to live with humility, commitment and prayerfulness.

The cleric stressed that while citizens should be religious, they should also pursue prosperity, adding that political leaders must regard leadership as a sacred responsibility rather than a business venture and uphold righteousness as a divine mandate.

“Saint Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans, chapter 14, verse 7 to 8, that none of us lives for himself only, and no one dies for himself only. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

“Honestly speaking, I do not know what words of mine would adequately console you, the family members and friends of the Late Distinguished Senator on this great personal loss of our dear son, brother and friend. But I know that the Lord Jesus Christ that you love and serve so much with passion and commitment, will give you consolation,” he added.

The Aren Eggon and paramount ruler of the Eggon nation, Ahmed Ubangari, praised sympathisers for standing with the family throughout the mourning period.

The late Senator Godiya Akwashiki served in both the 9th and 10th Senate and chaired several committees, including those on the Air Force and Media and Public Affairs, among others.