The death of President Muhammadu Buhari’s close ally and rumoured members of the ‘cabal’, Ismaila Isa Funtua has sent shockwaves across the country.
Funtua reportedly died on heart failure on Monday night. Speaking on his demise, the Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki disclosed that funtua will be ‘greatly missed’.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Lai Mohammed also expressed sadness at the development, adding that it was a ‘rude shock’.
“Mallam Isa Funtua was a man of many parts, with his eventful life highlighted by service, whether as a media icon, an entrepreneur or a philanthropist” he said.
Abia senator, Orji Uzor Kalu on Tuesday tweeted that Funtua was a man who contributed greatly to national development. “I received with sadness the news of the demise of Mallam Isa Funtua. He was a statesman, who contributed to national development in different capacities in the private & public spheres of life.I pray to Allah to grant the deceased Al-Jannah Firdaus & consolation to the family. -OUK”
Also, the Northern Governors Forum has issued a statement on the loss. The Chairman of the forum and governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong, in a condolence message by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Monday in Jos said Funtua’s death was a loss to the nation.
“This is a great loss to his family, the Northern Region and the entire nation considering his immense contributions to national development.
“He is one person that has built bridges among people of different ethnic, religious and political persuasions and also encouraged unity, peace and tolerance,” he said.