Republic Transport Minister, Alhaji Umaru Dikko died yesterday in a London hospital. Dikko, who died at the age of 78 was said to have suffered three strokes in a row and had been ill before now.
He was a prominent member of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, in the administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. As member of the kitchen cabinet of that administration, he was regarded as the most powerful minister.
The October 31, 1993 military coup which ousted Shagari from power, resulted to Dikko’s escape to London having been accused of corrupt practices by the regime of Gen Mohammadu Buhar (rtd).
Efforts to get him back to Nigeria resulted to his kidnapping in London on the alleged orders of Buhari. The arrest of his abductors while he was being shipped to the country in a ‘Diplomatic Crate’ at Stansed Airport in London, resulted to diplomatic row between Nigeria and Britain.
Few mourners at his Kaduna home. At his Kaduna home on number 12 Constitution Road, few people gathered to mourn him.
A canopy was being erected, and a condolence book was opened around 4pm, but no dignitary had signed at the time reporter left the house.
His younger brother, Lamido Dikko, did not speak to the media.
The body of Dikko, will arrive Nigeria today. Left to mourn him two wives and 11 Children. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan joined eminent Nigerians to mourn the demise of the politician, who meant different things to different people.
Advocate of stronger political parties — Jonathan
Jonathan, who condoled the family said he received the news with sadness. A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati said that: “Alhaji Umaru Dikko’s life-long advocacy for stronger political parties, greater discipline within political parties and the supremacy of political parties have assured him of a place in the annals of Nigeria’s political development.”
“The President extends sincere commiserations to the family, friends and political associates of the former Minister of Transport during the Second Republic who also played a leading role in the National Party of Nigeria which controlled the Federal Government in that dispensation. In mourning the renowned political leader who, in spite of advanced age, continued to actively contribute to the nurturing and strengthening of democracy in Nigeria until the end of his life.
Also, Vice President Namadi Sambo noted that the north and Nigeria as a whole have lost one of the most dogged politicians in the country.
rest in peace
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