Senior Special Assistant on Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, Malam Shehu Garba, has explained what allegedly transpired between deceased publisher and President Muhammad Buhari’s friend, Isa Funtua and Sahara Reporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore, when the deceased met him while he (Sowore) was being detained by the Department of State Security.

Sowore had said that Funtua asked him to drop his revolutionary struggles so that he could be freed.

But, in a statement, Shehu said the meeting was not proposed by the government, adding that Sowore was not antagonistic to Funtua.

He added:

“Let’s get the facts straight on the meeting with Sowore in SSS detention. First, it is important to state that the meeting was not instructed by the government. Nobody sent anybody to go and negotiate Sowore’s freedom as he put it.

“The late Malam Isma’ila (Funtua), on his own called me to ask that I broker a meeting with him and two others with the SSS, which they agreed to. It is important that I state that it was the force of Malam Isma’ila’s argument that made the meeting possible.

“Vanguard Newspapers publisher, Sam Amuka and ThisDay Publisher and President, Nigerian Press Organisation, Nduka Obaigbena, all agreed that Sowore was a ‘rascal’, who had used his newspaper ‘to abuse all of us,’ but agreed, nonetheless to go and press for his release.

“The meeting ended well, and contrary to the posturing by Sowore, he said he was happy with a resolution proposed but that his lawyer, whoever that was, needed to come on board. The fence-mending process apparently collapsed after the meeting of the trio with the lawyer in Lagos.

“Knowing the way the secret service works, it should surprise no one if they keep a recording of that meeting. Faced with this posturing and the unfair attacks on the dead, we certainly will be forced to ask for the release of tapes, in case they are available for the public to judge.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and his deputy, Ahmed Wase have expressed sadness over the death of Mallam Isa Funtua, former President, Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

In separate statements issued on Tuesday in Abuja ,the Speaker and his deputy describe Funtua’s demise as painful.

Gbajabiamila said Funtua,who was a lifetime patron of NPAN and the International Press Institute, lived a life full of service to humanity.

He also condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari over the loss, Funtua being a long time friend of the president.

The speaker prayed that Almighty Allah would give his family, the people and Government of Katsina State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

He also prayed for Jannatul Firdaus to be his final abode.

Wase, in a condolence message described Funtua as an entrepreneur, a business mogul of repute and distinguished status.

He said the late statesman was a great philanthropist who employed great labour as well as an astute democrat who lived an exemplary life and committed himself to the service of the nation.

The deputy speaker also condoled with the President, the governor of Katsina state, Aminu Bello Masari and the good people of the state over the loss of their illustrious son.

Funtua died on Monday after a brief illness.

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has described as a painful loss the death of Malam Isma’ila Isa Funtua on July 20.

Lawan in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi on Tuesday expressed his heartfelt condolences to family of the late business mogul, community leader, social and political activist and nationalist.

“The news of the death of Malam Isa Funtua left me with profound sadness.

“He was a man who touched many lives and impacted the development of Nigeria with his foresight, industry, enterprise, boundless enthusiasm, magnetism, friendliness and accommodating spirit.

“Malam Isa Funtua made friends across tribe, religion, generation and class in Nigeria, and touched many lives in public service as well as in his private life,” Lawan said.

He described the departed as a man of many parts who brought to bear his great intelligence, energy and integrity on everything thing that he did.

Lawan said the late Malam Isa Funtua was a pioneer and trail blazer who established an authoritative national newspaper and a giant construction company through both of which he has left indelible footprints on the physical and sociology-political landscapes of Nigeria.

“Even in death, Malam Isa Funtua’s presence will continue to be felt for a long time by Nigerians,” Lawan said.

The Senate President commiserated with the Government and People of Katsina State over the loss.

Lawan also particularly condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari who has lost a close friend, trusted ally and in-law.

Lawan prayed Allah to comfort the loved ones that Isa Funtua left behind, forgive his sins and accept his soul in Aljannat Firdaus.

The Northern Governors Forum has described the death of Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, a life patron of the International Press Institute and the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, as painful.

The Chairman of the forum and governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong, in a condolence message by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Monday in Jos said Funtua’s death was a loss to the nation.

“This is a great loss to his family, the Northern Region and the entire nation considering his immense contributions to national development.

“He is one person that has built bridges among people of different ethnic, religious and political persuasions and also encouraged unity, peace and tolerance,”he said.

The chairman said the deceased distinguished himself in the journalism profession where he played critical roles for freedom of expression and the press.

He said the elder statesman also encouraged responsible journalism practice aimed at promoting nation-building and propagation of truth, justice and the fight against corruption.

Lalong said the business acumen, humility and hard work of Funtua among his many achievements would continue to inspire the younger generation especially as a worthy role model amidst loss of confidence of selfless leaders in the nation.

He also commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari over the loss of the deceased who was his long term associate, supporter and political ally and offered counsel to the government on many issues.

Lalong condoled with Funtua’s family and prayed for God to give it the fortitude to bear the loss.

He said Nigeria, particularly the Northern Region, would miss his wealth of wisdom and knowledge which he offered during critical times while praying to God for his soul to rest in peace.

The deceased died at 78 years.

He was the founding Managing Director of the New Africa Holdings, publishers of the defunct Democrat Newspapers.

The deceased was also the founder of the indigenous construction company, Bulet International Nigeria Ltd.