President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of Senator Ali Wakil as “an incalculable loss to Nigeria’s democracy”.

The President said this on Saturday while mourning the lawmaker from Bauchi State in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Senator Wakili died on Saturday morning at the age of 58 years old after he was said to have slumped at his Gwarimpa residence in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital in the nation’s capital but died on the way before getting a medical treatment.

Until his death, the lawmaker was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation.

Reacting to his demise hours later, President Buhari described the lawmaker as a Nigerian “whose dedication to duty was remarkable and worthy of emulation.”

He noted that the death of the senator came as a great shock to him, adding that his dedication to duty would remain one of the greatest virtues for which the deceased would be remembered.

“The passion for duty was one of the finest qualities of late Senator Wakili,” said President, as he urged other democratically elected leaders to borrow a leaf from the deceased’s record of dedication.

He further extended his condolences to the family of the late lawmaker, his colleagues in the National Assembly, as well as the government and people of Bauchi State over what he called a “great loss to the country”.

The President also prayed to Allah to bless the soul of the departed senator.

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Saturday also expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Senator Wakili.

A tearful Saraki, according to a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the late Senator as a vibrant lawmaker and public servant who was very passionate about his assignment and engagements in the Senate, especially his Chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation and other committees where he was a member.

“Mallam Ali Wakili is one lawmaker you can never be in doubt where he stands on a particular issue. He spoke his mind fearlessly,” Saraki said, adding: “His contributions at plenary were always very incisive and rich. I find it difficult to acknowledge that he will not resume plenary with us next Tuesday.

“My heart goes out to his family, the 8th Senate and the government and people of Bauchi State over the loss of this conscientious and patriotic Nigerian. He shall be sorely missed.”

Saraki has since visited the residence of the Senator in Abuja where he commiserated with his immediate and extended family members.

The President of the Senate prayed Allah to grant Mallam Wakili a place among the righteous in Aljannah Firdaus and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

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