Gombe Rep Yaya Tongo dies in Abuja hospital

Yaya Tongo, the representative for Gombe, Kwami, and Funakaye Federal Constituency in Nigeria's House of Representatives, has died. His passing was announced on Friday, June 12, 2026, by former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami.

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We have lost our representative for Gombe, Kwami, and Funakaye, Hon Yaya Bauchi Tongo. He passed away today, Friday, June 12, 2026.

Pantami shared the news on his X handle, stating he had visited Tongo earlier that day at Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja, where the lawmaker was receiving treatment. The former minister described Tongo's health condition as critical, even to a layman's observation. "Since leaving the hospital, I have been deeply worried because of the condition I saw him in," Pantami wrote.

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Today, along with Alhaji Bappa Ahmad Abdullahi and some colleagues, I visited Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja, from 3:30pm to 3:50pm, where I prayed for him.

Tongo, elected in 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party, had switched his allegiance to the African Democratic Congress in March 2026. His death occurred on a Friday, which Pantami noted carries spiritual significance according to Islamic tradition, referencing a saying of Prophet Muhammad about protection from the trial of the grave for believers who pass away on a Friday or its night.

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Since leaving the hospital, I have been deeply worried because of the condition I saw him in. Even to a layman like me, his health condition was clearly critical.

The leadership of the House of Representatives had not yet issued an official statement regarding Tongo's death at the time of reporting. Pantami concluded his message with prayers for the deceased, asking for eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus and strength for his family and relatives to bear the loss.

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The Prophet Muhammad said that ‘no believer passes away on Friday, or its night, but that Allah will protect him from the trial of the grave.’