Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the death of Isaiah Balat has depleted the country of a vanishing breed of bridge-builders diligently committed to holding together the fabrics of Nigeria.
Atiku said in a statement by his media office in Abuja yesterday that the demise of Balat has robbed the country of a much-needed broadminded politician with a knack for bringing people together, especially in Kaduna state where his influence provided a lot of stability.
“Isaiah Balat was in the same cabinet with me as Vice President. He was a Minister of State in the works ministry. His greatest strength was his broadmindedness and tolerance that abhorred divisions along religious or ethnic lines. He identified with you irrespective of whether you were a Muslim or a Christian or of the majority or ethnic stock,” Atiku recalled.
He said that in all his callings, Balat was a patriot, committed to the service of his country and humanity.
Atiku on behalf of his family expressed his condolences to the family of Senator Isaiah Balat, Vice President Namadi Sambo and the people and government of Kaduna State over the loss.
