Gombe Rep Yaya Tongo dies in Abuja hospital

The member representing Kwami/Funakaye/Gombe Federal Constituency of Gombe State in the House of Representatives, Yaya Tongo, is dead.

Tongo, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2023, defected to the African Democratic Congress in March 2026.

News of his death was announced on Friday by a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, in a post on his verified X handle, @ProfIsaPantami.

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

The former minister disclosed that he had visited the lawmaker earlier in the day at Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja, where he was receiving treatment.

“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.

“I also met his friend, two of his children, and other relatives at the hospital. They received me and accompanied me to his room.

“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. However, we always put our trust in Allah, the Almighty God.

“A few hours later, I received news of his passing at Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja, today, Friday.

“We have lost one of our own. However, passing away on a Friday carries its own spiritual blessing.”

Pantami referenced a saying of Prophet Muhammad to support his remark.

“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,’” he added.

He prayed for the deceased, asking God to grant him eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus, “Along with our departed parents and loved ones, and grant his family and relatives the fortitude to bear this loss.”

As of the time of filing this report, the leadership of the House of Representatives had yet to issue an official statement on Tongo’s death.