The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has reacted to the death of two-term serving Senator, Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, describing the demise as a sad personal loss.
Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described Adeleke, the first elected Governor of Osun State, as an important figure in the Eighth Senate.
“My heart goes out to the family of Senator Adeleke, and the people of the great State of Osun,” Saraki said.
“Adeleke was a leader in every right, a formidable colleague, patriotic statesman, good family man and complete gentleman whose contributions to the development of the of Osun State in particular and the nation in general will never be forgotten”, he added.
Saraki eulogised Adeleke, who served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market as a consummate reformer, courageous public servant and grassroots politician whose love for his people and commitment to national service remains unparalleled.
“From his track-record as a second term Senator, it is clear that Adeleke was a man who his people trusted to carry out their mandate in the Senate.
“He was always passionate about his work in the legislature, and showed competence, dedication and an ability to work with everyone to bring about the greater good. He will be sorely missed”, he stated.
Saraki prayed to Almighty Allah to grant Adeleke a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah firdaus.
On his part, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, describes the sudden death as a huge loss to the country.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said he received news with shock.
“Senator Adeleke was a leader who left giant footprints and lasting legacies as the first civilian governor of Osun State,” he stated.
Dogara 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 added.
Similarly, Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has described the death of Adeleke as a great blow to the party.
Mr Kunle Oyatomi, the party’s Publicity Secretary, said the shock was impossible to overcome.
According to him, the party is momentarily shaken and short of words to respond to this tragic event appropriately.
“We advise supporters, friends and family members to summon courage and mourn this fallen hero of Nigerian politics.’’
Oyatomi, however, called on all citizens of the state irrespective of their political affiliation to show solidarity and empathy with the deceased family.
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