SDP zonal chairman dies in auto crash

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kaduna State is in mourning following the tragic death of its Zone One chairman, Bashir Zakariya, who died in a road accident along the Zaria–Kaduna Expressway.

Zakariya was reportedly traveling from Zaria to Kaduna on Thursday when the fatal crash occurred. While full details surrounding the accident remain unclear, party officials confirmed that he died at the scene.

In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Darius Kurah, Zakariya was remembered as “a man of integrity, courage and vision,” whose commitment to democratic values left a lasting impression.

“Zakariya stood for truth, spoke with conviction, and worked tirelessly to grow the SDP in Zone One and beyond. His memory will remain a guiding light to the party and the people of Kaduna State,” the statement noted.

Party members recalled that Zakariya had routinely made the journey between Zaria and Kaduna as part of his grassroots mobilisation work for the party. His passing, they said, has created “a huge vacuum” in the SDP’s leadership in the region.

Sympathisers have begun visiting Zakariya’s family home in Kaduna to express their condolences and honour his legacy.

The SDP also used the opportunity to urge the Kaduna State Government and road safety agencies to intensify efforts to address the frequent accidents on the Zaria–Kaduna road, describing the route as increasingly deadly.