Alhaji Bature laid to rest
The former Managing Editor of the Al- Hajj newspaper, Alhaji Bature Iddrisu was laid to rest around 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2017, after Janaiza Prayers were observed at his family house at Nima in Accra in accordance with the Islamic faith.
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The funeral of Alhaji Bature was attended by family members, colleagues, politicians, friends and loved ones who paid tributes to the veteran journalist.
Among the large number of mourners were the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Ibrahim Mahama, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, Prof. Joshua Alabi, Ras Mubarak, Bernard Mornah, Collins Dauda, Harry Zakour, Kofi Adams, Victor Smith, Nii John, Kweku Sintim Misa, Sani Daara, Alhaji Hearts.
Most of the family members and some politicians Razzonline.com spoke to eulogise the veteran journalist and Managing Editor.
Alhaji Bature died on Friday, January 5, 2018, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
He was an outspoken political commentator on Adom TV’s morning show, Badwam, and a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Alhaji Bature family
Meanwhile, the family of the late Alhaji Bature has said it is “extremely scandalised by the inexorable attempts by some political commentators to score despicable political points with the sudden death of Alhaji Bature by launching unwarranted scathing attacks on former President John Dramani Mahama”.
An activist of the main opposition NDC, Dela Coffie, last Saturday flayed Mr Mahama and the NDC on social media for going ahead with an already scheduled Unity Walk of the party in the Brong Ahafo Region instead of calling it off to mourn with the family of the late Editor of the Al-Hajj newspaper, who was also a staunch member of the NDC.
Mr Coffie wrote: “The man he defended with his life, toiled and "died for" is on a self-promotional tour ("unity walk"), amidst fanfare, pomp and pageantry, and without an ounce of respect to the fallen activist? Couldn't the organisers of the so-called unity walk push it to a later date in honour of Alhaji's?
“Does the death of Alhaji Bature mean anything to John Mahama? And is the NDC worth dying for?” he questioned in his post.
Alhaji Bature’s family reacts
Meanwhile, the Iddrisu family has acknowledged “ the contributions of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama; his brother, Mr Ibrahim Mahama and the Mahama family in general, from the day the late Alhaji Bature Iddrisu was admitted at the hospital, to the time of his death and its aftermath.”
In a statement issued to the press and signed by the spokesperson of the family, Amos Blessing Amorse, it added that, “we believe the Mahama family came to the rescue of our late brother at the time he needed them most and the best way to reciprocate is to appreciate our kind gesture.”
The statement further indicated that, “we don't have the authority of the Mahama family to make public their contributions to Alhaji Bature prior to his death, but if there was any creature on earth who took special interest in the upkeep of him while on admission at the hospital, it was the Mahama family.”
It also stated that, the former President was in touch with the family while in Techiman where a minute of silence was observed during a Unity Walk in memory of Alhaji Bature. It said the former President later sent an entourage led by Alhaji Collins Dauda and other NDC stalwarts to represent him at the burial ceremony in Accra.
“It is awfully shocking that persons who never checked up on Alhaji Bature while on his sick bed and never showed up for his burial rites or called to check up on arrangements, are the ones demonising those who single-handedly stood by him in times of difficulty.
“We are by this statement warning any person or group of persons who want to latch on Alhaji Bature's death to settle political scores to desist from it immediately. We have lost a national hero, and the best we can do to preserve his legacy and memory is to pray for his soul to rest in peace,” the statement added.