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By Tracy Moses
Hon. Yaya Bauchi Tongo, the member representing Kwami/Funakaye/Gombe Federal Constituency of Gombe State in the House of Representatives, has died following a brief illness.
Tongo passed away on Friday at Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja, where he had been receiving treatment.
The news of his death was announced by former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, in a post on his verified X handle.
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 at the hospital earlier in the day and had become concerned about his condition.
“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 further cited a saying of Prophet Muhammad, noting that: “No believer passes away on Friday, or its night, but that Allah will protect him from the trial of the grave.”
He prayed for Allah to forgive the deceased and grant him eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus, while also asking for strength and comfort for his family and loved ones.
Tongo was elected to the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 general election. In March 2026, he defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), becoming one of several politicians involved in the wave of political realignments ahead of the next electoral cycle.
During his tenure in the National Assembly, the late lawmaker represented one of Gombe State’s prominent federal constituencies and was involved in legislative activities and constituency development efforts aimed at addressing the needs of his people.
His death has elicited grief among political associates, constituents and supporters in Gombe State, where he was regarded as a grassroots politician with a strong connection to his constituency.
As of the time of filing this report, the leadership of the House of Representatives had yet to issue an official statement on the development.
His passing leaves a vacancy in the representation of Kwami/Funakaye/Gombe Federal Constituency and marks another loss for the House of Representatives.