In a heartbreaking turn of events that has left the Nigerian political community in shock and mourning, Senate Minority Leader Senator Patrick Abba Moro has suffered the unimaginable tragedy of losing his son and grandson within a mere 48 hours.
The Benue South representative, a steadfast voice for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 10th National Assembly, is now grappling with profound grief as his family buries two young lives cut tragically short.
The sequence of sorrow began on Friday, October 17, when Senator Moro’s grandson—whose identity has not been publicly disclosed—passed away in a hospital in Abuja following a brief but severe illness. Family members described the young boy’s death as sudden and unexpected, leaving the household in a state of stunned disbelief.
The burial rites for the grandson were held the following day, Saturday, October 18, in line with Idoma traditions in Benue State, where Senator Moro hails from. Attendees at the somber ceremony included close relatives, political allies, and community leaders, all offering prayers and support during what was already an emotionally draining time.
Tragedy compounded just hours later that same evening. Victor Moro (also referred to in some reports as Peter Moro), the senator’s son in his early 20s, was killed in a horrific car accident along the Mararaba axis of Nasarawa State, a bustling highway notorious for its traffic hazards.
Eyewitnesses reported that the vehicle Victor was traveling in veered off the road and collided with a stationary truck, resulting in instantaneous fatalities for the driver and passengers.
Sources close to the family revealed that Victor had only recently returned to Nigeria after completing his studies in Turkey and was eagerly preparing for his mobilization into the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program—a rite of passage for many Nigerian graduates. The back-to-back losses have been described by relatives as “an unimaginable double blow,” with one family member telling reporters, “We buried the grandson in the morning, and by nightfall, we were receiving news of Victor’s accident. It’s a pain that words cannot capture.”
As of Monday morning, Senator Moro’s office had yet to issue an official statement, but insiders confirmed that the senator, his wife, and immediate family are receiving spiritual and emotional counseling from religious leaders in their Ottawa community.
The news has triggered an avalanche of condolences from across Nigeria’s political spectrum, underscoring Senator Moro’s reputation as a bridge-builder despite his role as PDP whip. Former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in a poignant social media post, wrote: “To lose a grandson, and then, only days later, a son, is a pain no family should ever have to bear.
Toyin and I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences, and pray that the Almighty will strengthen them, comfort them, and surround them with His peace through this very dark season.”
@bukolasaraki Senate President Godswill Akpabio and several PDP governors, including Benue’s Hyacinth Alia, have also reached out privately, pledging support during the mourning period. Constituents from Benue South flooded local radio stations and social media with messages of solidarity, praising Moro’s dedication to youth empowerment initiatives—a cause now tinged with bitter irony.
Senator Moro, 69, rose to prominence as a labor leader before serving as Minister of Interior under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Elected to the Senate in 2019, he has been a vocal advocate for security reforms, economic relief for the North-Central region, and anti-corruption measures. His calm demeanor amid partisan battles has earned him respect even from across the aisle, but this personal catastrophe has humanized the often stoic lawmaker in the eyes of many.
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