Edo Former Speaker Laid to Rest in Auchi ...wife yet to be released by kidnappers.

By DADA AYOKHAI

The remains of former Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon Zakawanu Garuba, was yesterday laid to rest in Auchi, Etsako West LGA, in strict observance of NCDC regulations on social distancing.

Rt Hon Garuba died after a brief illness at an Abuja hospital. His corpse arrived Auchi late night and he was  immediately buried in accordance with Muslim rites, in a private affair devoid of the usual funfare and protocol.  funfare.

Meanwhile, the wife, Hassana Garuba,  and the driver of the deceased former Speaker who were abducted by kidnappers on their way to Auchi from Abuja for the  burial rites are yet to be released. The kidnappers as yesterday were in dialogue  with the Garuba family about  the payment of  ransom.

He was a frontline PDP leader in Edo State and is survived by his wife, an aged mother and three children. His last public appearance was at the Edo PDP governorship primary won by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

His death, coming a few months after that of Alhaji Usman Shagadi, another astute politician, has sent shock waves in the political class in Auchi and environs, as their demise has created a leadership vacuum in the ancient community.

Though rumours are rife that the former Speaker's death was COVID-19 related,  the family has, however, denied the story, insisting their son  died of natural causes.