Bashir Tofa, MKO Abiola’s opponent in June 12 election, buried in Kano (updated)

Bashir Tofa, former presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), is dead.

According to family sources, Tofa died at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in the early hours of Monday after a brief illness.

Confirming his death, one of the deceased’s relations said, “Alhaji Bashir Tofa died after a brief illness.”

He was said to have been at the intensive care unit (ICU) at the hospital for days but was recovering. He eventually succumbed to the illness.

He was buried according to Islamic rites on Monday. Funeral prayers were held at his residence in Gandun Albasa, Kano. Bashir Aliyu, imam of Al Furqan mosque, led the prayers. Aminu Ado Bayero, Emir of Kano; Sule Y Hamma and HA Akilu were in attendance.

Tofa was born on June 20, 1947.

In 1993 presidential election, he squared off against MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the presumed winner of the election.

But the Babangida regime annulled the election.