A Moment in the Holy Land: Murtala Sule Garo Reflects on a Tragic Loss.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin kudu Northern Bureau Chief Democracy Newsline.
May 31, 2025
In the sacred city of Madinah, cloaked in the spiritual serenity of the Holy Land, His Excellency Murtala Sule Garo, Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 elections of Kano State, found himself in deep reflection and prayer. Having embarked on the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj—a journey of spiritual renewal and humility—he sought closeness to the Almighty and clarity for his vision for his beloved state of Kano.
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But amidst the peace and sanctity of his pilgrimage, a call came that pierced his heart. It was a report from home—an accident, tragic and devastating, involving members of the Kano State contingent returning from the just-concluded National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun State. The incident occurred in Dakatsalle town, just as the team approached the final stretch of their journey home, their spirits likely high from days of competition and camaraderie.
The news arrived like a thunderbolt. Standing beneath the golden skies of Madinah, His Excellency felt the weight of the tragedy settle deeply in his chest. His heart ached for the young lives lost, for their families who would never welcome them home, and for the vibrant dreams extinguished on that dusty road. The Holy Land, a place of ultimate peace, now bore witness to his sorrow.
He stepped away from the crowd, eyes moist with grief, and faced the Qibla, whispering fervent prayers for the souls of the departed. “Ya Allah,” he uttered, voice trembling with emotion, “grant them Jannatul Firdaus. Ease the pain of their families and grant swift recovery to the injured. This is a heavy loss, Ya Rabb, for all of Kano.”
Though he was thousands of kilometers away, his spirit was with the people of Kano—mourning alongside them, honoring the dedication of the athletes, and recognizing the gravity of their sacrifice. In a statement released from Saudi Arabia, he expressed his heartfelt condolences:
“May Allah SWT, in His infinite mercy, grant all those who lost their lives in this tragic incident Jannatul Firdaus and quicken the recovery of the injured. I extend my deepest condolences to the families affected, to the entire sports community, and to the great people of Kano State. This is a moment of collective sorrow, and I share in your pain.”
More than just a political figure, Murtala Sule Garo felt this loss as a father, as a son of Kano, and as a believer. It reminded him, in the most painful way, of the fragility of life and the importance of unity in times of grief. In his prayers and in his silence, he vowed that their memory would not be forgotten.
And as the call to prayer echoed across the courtyards of the Prophet’s Mosque, he bowed his head—not just in ritual, but in a moment of deep, human mourning. A leader in holy lands, grieving for his people at home.
