Tears from relations and praises from friends and associates rained, yesterday, as the remains of Ismiala Maihanchi was laid to rest in Jalingo, Taraba State.
Maihanchi, who won the last House of Representatives election for Jalingo/Yorro/Zing federal constituency, passed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday.
Tears flowed freely, as the flight that conveyed his corpse, landed at Danbaba Danfulani Suntai Airport in Jalingo.
Political associates, family members, friends and sympathisers, who managed to fight back tears, said the deceased would be greatly missed by all and sundry.
Speaking on the last moment the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer shared with him, the party’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Andeta’rang Irammae, said his death came as a rude shock to the members of the PDP fold in the state.
Lamenting that death struck at a time Maihanchi’s service was highly needed, Irammae noted that the deceased took ill after the general election, which led to his demise.
According to him, the deceased will be missed by the party, adding that he would remember him for his impact on the party and the state as a whole.
An associate of the deceased, who also spoke with The Guardian, described Maihanchi as a humble, committed and hardworking fellow who “always delivered on assignments given to him.”
On his part, Taraba deputy governor, Haruna Manu, urged the bereaved family and the PDP family to take solace in God over the incident.
He called on them to maintain the legacy left behind by Maihanchi, stating that the incident is a reminder of the need “for all of us, irrespective of position, to always draw closer God.”
