One of the most colourful politicians to come out of northern Nigeria, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, Sunday night breathed his last in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt.
In old age – and for all practical purposes blind – Sule spent the last decade or longer preaching peace, unity and good governance in Nigeria.
He ran for president in 1978/79 but stepped down for Alhaji Shehu Shagari at the primaries for presidential candidate of the NPN. Shagari, now 92, was elected in 1979.
He held many important positions in his 88-year existence, including as Nigeria’s representative to the United Nations. He was the country’s first federal commissioner of public complaints.
Popularly called Dan Masami in his home state Kano, Sule left behind one wife, nine children, and grandchildren.
He will be buried today Monday by 4pm. The Kano State government has declared Tuesday a work-free day in honour of the late elder statesman.
