A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sabur Dimeji Bankole on 
Friday tied the nuptial knot with Aisha Shinkafi Saidu, daughter of Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
Bankoke had reportedly divorced his first wife in 2017, thus paving the way for him to remarry without committing bigamy.
The private ceremony took place in Abuja and was attended by close friends, especially political associates.
Bankole had been relatively quiet and off the radar of public eyes since leaving office as Speaker in 2011.
Former House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, was the Chair of the day while the First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi co-chaired the event.
Aisha, the new wife, is a lawyer and graduate of the University of Hull in the UK.
She is also the granddaughter of a former head of Nigeria’s security organization, Umaru Shinkafi.
The bride’s mother is Shinkafi’s daughter and a sister to the former Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Aliyu Shinkafi.
Prior to the Friday ceremony, the Bankole family of Iporo, Abeokuta, had issued a statement in which it disclosed that a quiet introduction between the families had taken place a few weeks earlier to kick off the marriage in line with Islamic and traditional injunctions.
At the introduction ceremony, the Governor of Sokoto State and Bankole’s successor as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, had led the groom’s family to the bride’s family home to seek her hand in marriage.
Friday’s event was, indeed, the culmination of a courtship that both families had kept away from the public space.
Bankole family had advised that in keeping with the requirements of COVID-19 protocols, the ceremony would be low-key.
It had, therefore, implored guests to observe all health and safety directives at the event, while appealing to friends and well-wishers who might not have received invitations for their understanding given the uncertainties of the present times.
However, music was in abundance at the wedding ceremony as Timi Dakolo, Joeboy, and Big Brother Naija season 5 winner, Laycon, were all on ground to give good and beautiful music.
COVID-19 protocols were, however, reportedly disregarded.
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