A former lawmaker representing Niger North Senatorial District under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Senator Ibrahim Musa, has passed away.

Senator Musa, who served in the National Assembly between 2011 and 2015, was widely regarded as one of the most loyal political allies of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

His death was announced on Thursday by the Niger State Government in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman.

“The Senator, Ibrahim Musa, died today (Thursday) in Abuja after a brief illness, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to his people and the nation at large,” the statement read.

According to Peoples Gazette, he died at Nizamiye Hospital in the Nigerian capital after the facility management declined to conduct a critical surgery due to failure to pay $15,000 (approximately N22.9 million) bill immediately.

The hospital had confirmed a $30,000 bill for Mr Kontagora, who represented Niger North Senatorial District from 2011 to 2015, but he was only able to deposit $15,000.

“Hospital officials said they would treat him as soon as the remaining balance came in,” a family member said. The family scrambled to get the balance, but by the time it came in, it was already too late,” the media quoted a source.

A spokesperson said the hospital had a policy of accepting full payment before treatment, but did not take responsibility for the tragedy.

Niger Governor Mohammed Bago was among those who raised funds for Mr Kontagora’s botched emergency surgery. Other politicians, including Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, have expressed condolences.

The late politician was survived by his wife and children. He was buried shortly after Islamic rites at the National Mosque, Abuja, at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday.