The House of Representatives has been thrown into mourning following the death of Hon. Yaya Bauchi Tongo, the federal lawmaker representing Kwami/Funakaye/Gombe Constituency in Gombe State.
Tongo, a member of the 10th National Assembly, reportedly passed away on Friday in Abuja after battling an undisclosed health condition.
News of his death was made public by former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, who revealed that the lawmaker died while receiving medical attention at Nizamiye Hospital.
Pantami disclosed that he had visited Tongo at the hospital earlier in the day alongside associates and family members.
According to him, the lawmaker’s health had deteriorated significantly, raising fears about his chances of recovery.
“His condition was deeply troubling when we met him. We prayed and hoped for improvement, but unfortunately, the outcome was not what everyone desired,” Pantami said.
The former minister explained that after leaving the hospital, he remained concerned about Tongo’s state of health before eventually receiving the news of his death later that same day.
He described the deceased lawmaker as a committed public servant whose passing would be felt across Gombe State and beyond.
“Tongo dedicated a significant part of his life to serving his constituents. His death is a painful loss for his community and for those who worked closely with him,” Pantami added.
Beyond his legislative responsibilities, the late lawmaker was known for his active participation in political affairs within Gombe State.
Tongo was elected into the House of Representatives during the 2023 general elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, he later switched political allegiance in March 2026.
His death comes barely three years into his first term in the National Assembly, leaving a vacancy in the constituency he represented.
Political associates, supporters and community leaders have continued to express grief over the development, with tributes highlighting his contributions to grassroots representation and constituency development.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the House of Representatives had not issued an official statement regarding the lawmaker’s death as of Friday night.
Funeral arrangements were yet to be announced at the time of filing this report.