Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has expressed sadness over the passing away of the Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retd).
Atiku in his tribute to Nkanga described him as a patriot, astute administrator and a pragmatic politician of no mean repute.
The former vice President in a statement issued on Monday by his Media Office and signed by Paul Ibe, said the death of Nkanga had left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill given his numerous contributions to the development of his native Akwa Ibom state, the Niger Delta and the country at large.
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According to the statement Atiku said: ‘The late Nkanga was unwaveringly committed and dedicated to the founding ideals and objectives of the group to foster unity, peace and development in the Niger Delta region.
‘He was a selfless, humane, broad-minded, trusted leader, esteemed compatriot and statesman’, the Wazirin Adamawa said.
The former Vice President prayed to God to grant his immediate family, the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State and the entire Niger Delta the needed fortitude to bear the loss.
Nkanga, a former Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom State who later contested for the governorship seat of Akwa Ibom State under the platform of the National Democratic Party and lost to Obong Victor Attah died at the age of 68.
He was reportedly said to have died of Corona-virus-related complications.
Nkanga, born on January 27, 1952, was the military governor of Akwa Ibom from September 1990 to January 1992 during the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
