Kwara State governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has commiserated with the Emir and people of Patigi Emirate and the ruling All Progressives Congress over the death of a House of Assembly member, Ahmed Saidu Rufai.

Kwara State House of Assembly on Tuesday announced the death of the member representing Patigi constituency.

According to a statement made available to newsmen by Sherif Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu said “It is with a heavy heart and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah that we announce the death of our colleague, Hon. Ahmed Saidu Rufai representing Patigi constituency.”

The statement said that Rufai died at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, adding that “Jannazah (burial prayers) of the late legislator would be done later today, at his country home in Patigi.

“As we struggle to live with this tragic development and the vacuum that comes with it, we pray that Allah in His infinite mercy forgive his shortcomings and give his family, the 9th Assembly, Patigi Emirate, friends and associate and Kwara State at large, the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

Kwara APC chairman, Bashir Bolarinwa in a statement described the death of Rufai as shocking and devastating.

Bolarinwa commiserated with the Speaker, members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, the Emir and people of Patigi constituency over the unfortunate incident.

He described the late legislator as humane and easy-going, saying, “My little interaction with him portrays him as a very gentle personality. I have no doubt that he will be sorely missed by his family, friends, colleagues and people of his constituency. I pray that Almighty Allah will comfort all those he left behind and grant him Aljannah Firdous”.