The Minister of State Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, has described the death of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, as a great loss to Nigeria and its democracy.

Gwarzo, who stated this in a condolence message signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Adamu Abdullahi, said Na’Abba will be remembered for his principles and firm belief in true democracy.

“Ex-Speaker Na’Abba was an icon of true democracy and a parliamentarian par excellence who championed and defended legislative independence during his time as the Speaker of the House of Representatives,” the minister said.

While extolling the qualities of the deceased, he said the late Na’Abba was a true democrat who believed in the rule of law and participatory democracy by electorates within the powers of the constitution.

“The deceased’s tenure as speaker of the House of Representatives and beyond, he was committed to the promotion and defence of democratic norms. He was a patriotic Nigerian who dedicated his life to the development of our dear nation,” he stated.