By; Bala B. Bitrus, Minna.
Niger state government has announced that the remains of the former governor of the state, Engr. Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure who died Sunday morning in a German hospital would be buried today, Wednesday in Minna.
A statement authored by the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Tsado Vatsa said also that the day, Wednesday had been declared as a work free day in the state to enable citizens pay their last respects to the departed former Governor.
The remains of the former Governor were still being expected in Minna from Germany as at 5:00pm yesterday but credible source within the house of the late politician told our correspondent that the body of the former Governor would arrive Nigeria before sunset.
At the residence of the late former Governor, hundreds of sympathisers had congregated in solemn mood while prayers were continually offered for the repose of his soul.
Another source close to the state government confirmed that no fewer than sixteen erstwhile colleagues of the deceased Governor as well as about six serving Governors had indicated interest to attend the burial of the former Governor.
A statement from the state government said the fida’u prayers would hold today, Wednesday by 12 noon at the Eid-el prayer ground where thousands are expected to grace the burial prayers prelude to the internment.
A source close to the deceased family told our reporter that the burial would hold in in Minna, preferably in the deceased residence as against earlier permutations that the remains of the late former Governor would be taken to Lapai his country home for burial.