From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been plunged into mourning following the death of its Zone One Chairman, Bashir Zakariya, who died in an auto crash along the Zaria-Kaduna highway.
Zakariya, according to party officials, was travelling from Zaria to Kaduna when the crash occurred along the ever-busy highway. Though details of the accident were still sketchy at press time, party members said he died at the scene.
In a statement by the state Publicity Secretary, Darius Kurah, the SDP described the late chairman as “a man of integrity, courage and vision” whose passion for justice and democracy inspired many within and outside the party.
He said, “Zakariya stood for truth, spoke with conviction, and worked tirelessly to grow the SDP in Zone One and beyond.”
The statement also read, “His memory will remain a guiding light to the party and the people of Kaduna State.”
Party members recalled that the deceased had made the Zaria–Kaduna trip “countless times” while mobilising grassroots support for the SDP.
Zakariya’s death, they said, leaves “a huge vacuum” in the opposition party’s leadership structure in the North-West state.
Condolence visits to the family residence in Kaduna have already begun.
The SDP urged the Kaduna State Government and federal road agencies to intensify efforts to curb the rising spate of accidents on the Zaria–Kaduna corridor.
