Rimi Died Out Of Doctor’s Negligence —Driver
But for the delay by doctors and staff of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, AKTH, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, first civilian governor of Kano state would have been saved from sudden death which happened after health complications arising from his encounter with armed robbers.
Robbers attacked Rimi and others at Gardan Ga’ana in Garko Local Government Area, Kano, on his way from Bauchi State on Sunday night.
Rimi, before his death had a health history of diabetes and hypertension.
According to his driver, Haruna Abdullahi, the former Minister of Communications was in good health after the robbery incident, though he was shocked at the way the local robbers, carrying dane guns and clubs waylaid them at about 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, taking away undisclosed amount of money, handsets and other valuables.
The armed robbers did not harm Rimi, the driver noted, adding that, Rimi’s brother, Sule Sa’a who argued with them was hit on his head with an object.
P.M.NEWS gathered that after the robbery incident, Rimi and co-passengers of the Land Cruiser SUV with registration number BB 774 NSR left the scene and continued their journey towards Kano.
According to the driver, “at Wudil, Alhaji Rimi said: ‘so we were actually robbed; well, let God pay them back in their own coin.’ After that speech, oga started sweating profusely. He gasped for breath and instructed us to take him to Classic Clinic, his private hospital. But when we got there, the doctor told us that his health condition was critical.
“The doctor referred us to AKTH and we put a call to them before we arrived. Unfortunately, at AKTH, we spent about 15 minutes waiting for a stretcher to come and carry him. When the stretcher couldn’t come, we had to carry Alhaji Abubakar Rimi on our shoulders inside the hospital where he died.”
Rimi died minutes after midnight. His body was taken from AKTH to his home in Durbin Katsina at Bompai axis of Kano metropolis. As early as 2 a.m. on Monday, sympathizers including, Kano State Deputy Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Tijani Gwarzo who represented his boss, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau; Special Adviser to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Akilu Indabawa had besieged his home.
Sheakarau left Kano last week for a working visit to the United States of America, USA.
Speaking through his Senior Special Adviser, SSA, on Media/Public Relations, Sule Ya’u Sule, Shekarau described Rimi as an astute politician. “Alhaji Abubakar Rimi was a true nationalist; and a political icon whose ideology is being emulated by many,” the text message sent through Shekarau’s SSA, stated.
P.M.NEWS sighted Mohammed Abacha and his younger brother at Rimi’s grave side.
They and other sympathisers stood for about three hours for the remains which left Kofar Kudu, Emir’s Palace after a three-minute prayer by Alhaji Isah Waziri, the Chief Imam of Kano to arrive the Tarauni grave yard located at Farm Centre.
The ambulance conveying Rimi’s remains, meandered through Kano streets for over three hours before it could beat human and vehicular traffic into the burial ground where the body was buried at about 3:10p.m. today.
Mohammed Abacha, Rimi’s political associate, described Rimi’s death as a huge loss to democracy.
“He was a man of the people even at death. Alhaji Abubakar Rimi is a political icon. Losing him means a lot. He was a perfect gentle man who would always insist that things are done the right way. May Allah grant him eternal rest,” Mohammed said.
Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rimi’s arch-rival within the Kano PDP politics, described the late politician as a force to reckon with in the political circle.
Kwankwaso was among the first callers at the Emir’s palace where prayers were offered for the repose of the soul of Rimi, once described as the strong man of Kano politics.
Atiku Abubakar, ex-Vice President, described the late Rimi as a most colourful politician this country has ever produced, adding that Rimi personified progressive politics.
“He was a man who shone brilliantly and consistently in the First, Second and Third Republics,” Atiku said.
Speaking through Garba Shehu, his Media Manager, Atiku, decried the high level of insecurity in the country and called on governments at all levels to urgently address the problem, noting that it was unfortunate that the nation has continued to lose its vibrant men and women to violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, assassination and so on.
“Rimi was just the latest victim of the now pervasive senseless violent crimes in the country. We have worked closely together as politicians and I found him to be warm, friendly and frank. His death is a big loss to Nigeria. He was a fighter for democracy and rule of law. May his soul rest in peace,” Atiku added.
Source: thepmnews.com
