ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The House of Representatives has expressed sorrow over the death of Rep. Yaya Bauchi Tongo, who represented Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State.
House spokesman Rep. Akintunde Rotimi said Friday that Tongo died in Abuja after a brief illness, a loss described as painful for the National Assembly, Gombe State and the nation. His death was confirmed by the Gombe State Caucus in the House.
Tongo was remembered as a seasoned grassroots politician and respected parliamentarian. Before his election to the House, he served as Chairman of Funakaye Local Government Area, Special Adviser to the Gombe State Government, and a member of the Gombe State House of Assembly. In the National Assembly, he chaired the Nigeria United Arab Emirates Parliamentary Friendship Group.
“His passing marks the end of a distinguished life devoted to public service and the advancement of his constituents, Gombe State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the House said in its statement.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and other lawmakers extended condolences to Tongo’s family, his constituency and the people of Gombe State, praying for strength to bear the loss. Details of parliamentary tributes and funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Nigeria’s legislature, one of Africa’s largest, plays a central role in shaping policy across the continent’s most populous nation. The death of a sitting lawmaker underscores both the personal toll of public service and the importance of continuity in governance.
Tongo’s career reflected the path of many African politicians who rise from local government to national office, bringing grassroots experience into parliamentary debates. His role as chair of the Nigeria UAE Parliamentary Friendship Group also highlighted Nigeria’s growing engagement in international parliamentary diplomacy, particularly with Gulf states.
His passing comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to strengthen democratic institutions, deepen international partnerships and address pressing domestic challenges. For his constituents in Gombe State, Tongo’s death marks the loss of a long-serving advocate for local development and national progress.
