The acting National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Sadiq Gombe, alongside the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Adewole Adebayo, have received the remains of Senator representing Nasarawa North, Godiya Akwashiki, from India.
Naijaonpoint reports that Akwashiki’s corpse arrived in Nigeria on Monday from India, where he died on December 31, 2025, in an Indian hospital after a protracted illness.
While the Senate President, Godwill Akpabio, and other Senate leaders were conspicuously absent at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Cargo Terminal in Abuja, Adebayo and Gombe were accompanied by the former governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Al-Makura, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, a former minister of information, Labaran Makun and other politicians.
Speaking with journalists, Gombe described the passing of Senator Akwashiki as a great loss to the nation.
He said, “It is a great loss not only to his constituents but also to the SDP and Nigeria at large.”
Gombe also clarified why no sitting senator is available to receive the late Akwashiki, saying, “You know the senators are in recess. We feel devastated for the family.”
Also speaking, Adebayo described the late Akwashiki as a great man and said his demise has hurt the entire state.
He added, “Many people who know Senator Godiya Akwashiki will know that he is a great man. It is a great loss.
“His loss hurts the entire state. To us, we do not have many senators, so his death is a great loss.”