Abdullahi, ex-Kano deputy governor, dies at 69

Magaji Abdullahi, a former deputy governor of Kano state, has died.

Aged 69, Abdullahi died in the early hours of Sunday after a protracted illness at his residence, located at NNDC Quarters, Sharada area, Kano.

Abdulkadir Ibrahim, former press secretary to the deceased, confirmed this in interview with NAN in Kano.

He said Abdullahi is survived by one wife, many children and grand children.

The deceased was commissioner for works, housing and transport between 1989 and 1990, and later commissioner for water resources.

Abdullahi came into limelight when he contested for the governorship of Kano state under the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1991.

In 1999, he defeated Kabiru Gaya, a senator, in the APP governorship primary, but lost to Rabiu Kwankwaso.

He later Ibrahim Shekarau’s running mate in 2003 and served as deputy governor under APP and later ANPP from 2003 to 2007.

The deceased had since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites at the Dandolo grave yard, Goron Dutse, in Kano metropolis.

Among those who attended the funeral prayer were Abdullahi Ganduje, governorAbdullahi of the state, and Hafiz Abubakar, his deputy, as well as other top government officials and politicians from within and outside the state.