By DADA AYOKHAI
A crisis is unfolding in the family of the late Ambassador Abdul Aziz Garuba regarding his burial arrangements.
The disagreement is between Alhaji Abdul Rasak Garuba, the late Ambassador’s eldest son, and Mrs. Silvia Chika Garuba, the late Ambassador’s youngest wife.
Alhaji Abdul Rasak Garuba insists his father should be buried in Auchi, his hometown, as it was his expressed wish. Mrs. Silvia Chika Garuba plans to bury him in Abuja.
In stark opposition, Mrs. Silvia Chika Garuba, the late Ambassador’s youngest wife, has made arrangements to bury him in Abuja.
Ambassador Garuba passed away on June 4 in Abuja at the age of 83 .
Alhaji Abdul Rasak believes burying his father in Abuja would deny him the honor and recognition he deserves as the Magaji (traditional Prime Minister) of the Auchi Kingdom.
Before his death, the late Ambassador was not only the oldest man in three-quarters of Auchi—Omane, Iyofa, and Akpekpe—but also the second oldest man in the entire Auchi community.
In a strongly worded open letter, Abdul Rasak emphasised that both the immediate and extended family, along with the Auchi community, unanimously believe that the late Ambassador Garuba deserves a burial that honours his esteemed status as the Magaji of Auchi and acknowledges his standing within the Auchi community.
Alhaji Abdul Rasak has approached an Abuja high court to prevent the burial in Abuja.
He expressed bewilderment and anger toward his stepmother’s actions, stating “A woman… cannot decide where and how to bury my father against his wishes and contrary to Auchi tradition.”
He requested the court to order the return of his father’s body to Auchi for burial.
In his prayers to the court, Abdul Rasak requested an order for the defendant to return his late father’s body to Auchi for final burial, as he had instructed years ago.
He also urged the guests invited to the burial in Abuja to disregard those invitations while the lawsuit is pending.
Abdul Rasak stated, “I implore well-meaning individuals and groups to ignore the so-called burial scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, July 25.”
He urged guests invited to the Abuja burial to disregard the invitations while the lawsuit is pending.
The situation is tense with the burial reportedly scheduled for Wednesday, July 25.
