Tinubu, Dogara mourn Adeleke

A National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, have eulogized the first civilian Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who died on Sunday.

In separate statements, Tinubu and Dogara described the death of Adeleke as shocking.

In a statement he personally signed, Tinubu said: “I received the news of Senator Isiaka Adeleke’s death with numbing shock. It was too much to bear coming barely a day after that of Dipo Famakinwa. The news of his death was both sudden and saddening for me and I am sure for most members of our political family.

“Senator Adeleke was a grassroots politician with a rich political background. He was hugely popular in his Osun State, particularly in the three local governments in Ede, his hometown. He was a major leader of our party, the APC. His leadership and good counsel were still very much required when death came.

“The late senator and I shared mutual respect and affection. My path and his first crossed during the aborted Third Republic, in the 1992/93 era, when we both belonged in the defunct Social Democratic Party. He was in the Peoples Democratic Party at the rebirth of democratic dispensation in 1999 but he later joined us in the APC in the build-up to the 2015 election.

“We would always remember him as that charismatic first civilian governor of Osun State who left behind a legacy in the area of education by establishing Ire Polytechnic and College of Education, Esa-Oke, among other laudable things he did during his time.

“Adeleke was with us in Lagos during the colloquium marking my 65th birthday. He also joined us for the inauguration of Aboru-Abesan Link Bridge and adjoining roads constructed by Governor Ambode and opened as part of my 65th birthday anniversary.

“I commiserate with his wife and children. I commiserate with the entire Adeleke family and his friends and numerous supporters. My heart also goes out to his brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke. I mourn with Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the people of Osun State over this unfortunate occurrence.

“I pray that they all have the strength to withstand this loss. I also pray for the repose of Adeleke’s soul.”

Dogara described the sudden death of Adeleke as shocking and a huge loss to the country.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said he received with shock the news of sudden death of Adeleke and said the former Osun State Governor was a distinguished gentleman.

“Senator Adeleke was a leader who left giant footprints and lasting legacies as the first civilian governor of Osun State,” he stated.

Dogara also recalled that the late senator was credited for establishing tertiary educational institutions across Osun State when he was governor in the third republic, thereby laying the foundation for the development of the State.

“On behalf of all members of the House of Representatives, I condole with the Adeleke family, the Senate, government and people of Osun State over this big loss,” Dogara adde