Top political leaders and dignitaries on Sunday gathered at the National Mosque for the funeral prayers of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mother of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Among those in attendance were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. The President was seen in a video arriving at the mosque for the Janazah prayer.
Other prominent figures present included the 16th Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi; billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote; former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Also in attendance were Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago; former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari; and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, among others.
Photos and videos circulating on social media showed the dignitaries arriving at the mosque, where they joined other mourners and participated in the Islamic funeral rites (janazah prayers).
In a statement shared via his X handle, Atiku Abubakar confirmed his attendance, noting that he joined family members, friends, and associates of the El-Rufai family for the prayers.
“May God continue to comfort the family and all who mourn her. And may Allah grant her Aljannah Firdaus. Amin,” he said.
Hajiya Umma El-Rufai passed away on Friday in Cairo after a brief illness.
Several prominent Nigerians, including President Tinubu, Shehu Sani, and Nuhu Ribadu, had earlier paid tribute to the deceased, describing her as a matriarch whose legacy will be remembered.
