DAMATURU, Nigeria – A wave of shock swept across Yobe State as news of the sudden demise of the newly appointed Caretaker Management Committee Chairman of Karasuwa Local Government Area, Lawan Karasuwa, became public on Thursday, May 25, 2023.
Karasuwa’s death occurred less than 24 hours before his official swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for Friday, May 26, 2023.
A family member, speaking to Channels Television, revealed that Karasuwa had driven himself to the Federal Medical Centre in Nguru, Yobe State, on Wednesday before his unexpected passing.
The startling news of Karasuwa’s death came to light during the launch of the third phase of an empowerment program for vulnerable individuals at the Government House Event Centre in Damaturu, the state capital.
The announcement cast a pall of sorrow over the event, marking a somber moment in the midst of the ceremony intended to uplift the less privileged in the society.
A seasoned politician, Karasuwa was a respected figure in Yobe’s political landscape.
He served as a member of the Yobe State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, and was also a former Acting State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before shifting his allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The untimely death of the Chairman-elect has left a vacuum in the leadership of the Karasuwa Local Government Area, raising questions about the future and stability of its administration.
As the community mourns the loss of a prominent figure, the question of his successor becomes an issue to be swiftly addressed by the state government.
As one local resident put it, “It’s a tragic day for our community. We had so many hopes with Mr. Karasuwa taking the helm. Now, we must face the future with uncertainty.”
