Senior lawyer and activist Yahaya Mahmood (SAN) died this evening after a brave battle with partial stroke as a result of High Blood Pressure.

Mahmood died around 6:30pm in his office along Bank Road in Kaduna, North-West Nigeria.

Barrister Sadau Garba who confirmed the death to News Express said he died while resting on a sofa in his office.

“We are on our way to prepare for his burial right now. It is quite sad and a great loss,” he said.

A man of strong opinions, Mahmood in his last published interview less than a month ago lambasted advocates of sovereign conference, describing them as critics of Nigeria’s 1914 amalgamation.

In the interview granted the Abuja-based Daily Trust on October 17 and published the next day, Mahmood said: “Those calling for a sovereign national conference are people who believe that the 1914 amalgamation was forced on us, and we should go our separate ways. They forget so many things including the civil war and so many conferences we have had. They forget that military men are also Nigerians.”

He added: “The president has inaugurated a 13-man panel to come up with details of the conference. What should be the name? How are those attending or participating going to be elected or selected? Will it be based on ethnic nationalities or local governments or constituencies? Remember that the president will receive the report, accept all or part of it and send it to the National Assembly. Now will the National Assembly suspend its constitutional amendment process until after the conference?”

Mahmood insisted that the conference would not likely bring about any desired change, noting that all Nigeria needs is good and selfless leaders and advisers. He said that Nigeria also needs a re-think on how to operate the 1999 constitution.

“Why do Nigerians spend billions of naira on medical and education of their children abroad? Can’t we fix our hospitals and schools? Must we still sell crude and import refined fuel? We can use the constitution better by being more national, patriotic and sincere,” he had stated.

•Photo shows late Yahaya Mahmood.

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