By: Ehogie West-Idahosa

Hon. Idris Yahuza, amiable practitioner of politics, reputable lawyer, nationalist and statesman has transited to eternal life. I received the news like most of his former colleagues in Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Thursday, 26th February, 2026. My initial reaction to the news of the passage was one of sorrow and I felt a deep sense of loss for my country. Hon. Yahuza had his DNA made of honesty, integrity, hard work, patriotism, maturity and humility. He was admirably simple despite his status as a top law maker for millions of his countrymen and women. He had a mastery of the rules and business of the House of Representatives. I recall that when his colleagues got wind that he had an adverse medical condition, they supported him spiritually and logistically.

Upon his return from a medical treatment, he expressed his deep appreciation and everyone was excited.
I spoke to him on a number of occasions in recent times and he expressed courageous optimism that all would be well and reminded me that God’s will is supreme as no man can alter it. He told me that what would be, would be. Doris Day’s hit song of the 50’s “ Que sera sera” ( what will be, will be)went through my mind.

My conversations with Hon. Yahuza showed him as a man deeply committed to the development of our society. He was confident that Nigeria would grow like other nations by doing the right things. He did not sound like one who was worried about death. His religion had prepared him for such event. He discussed death freely as a topic. His life has now come to that inevitable end. Hon. Yahuza’s attitude to death was right. After all, that legendary English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare said in his work, JULIUS CAESAR, that ; “Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, it seems to me strange that men should fear; seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.”

My dear Hon. Yahuza, all I can do is to pray for the repose of your soul and for God to grant it seamless entry into paradise. As for your passion for Nigeria, I can only remind our colleagues who still have the privilege of being alive of the words of Ronald Reagan on 6th June, 1984, in his commemoration speech of the Normandy invasion of the Second World War, titled -LET US MAKE A VOW TO THE DEAD. The quintessential former President of the United States echoed the following words;
“ Gentlemen, I look at you and I think of the words of Stephen Spender’s poem. You are men who in your lives fought for life… and left the vivid air signed with your honour”.

Hon. Yahuza has signed our country and Legislative air with his honour and we deeply appreciate his noble works. He would be sorely missed. But we must not forget those ideals for which he lived.

On a final note, let me bid my dear brother,Hon. Idris Yahuza, bye bye in the same words with which Napoleon Bonaparte said goodbye to his troops on 20th April, 1814; “ Soldier of my Old Guard: I bid you farewell “

Adieu Idris Yahuza; till we meet to part no more.

Dr. Ehogie West-Idahosa, a former member of the House of Representatives is a Senior Advocates of Nigeria.