Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan have expressed shock and sadness on the death of former Osun State Governor Isiaka Adeleke.
Adeleke, the first civilian Governor of Osun State and a serving Senator representing Osun West senatorial district passed on Sunday morning at the age of 62.
Ambode, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said Adeleke’s death was a huge loss to the entire Southwest region and the Yoruba nation across the world.
“I was deeply shocked to learn of his death this morning. Only last month, he was in Lagos to join us celebrate our party leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He made his mark first as the first civilian Governor of Osun State and then as a senator. He was one of the most prominent lawmakers, who did not shy away from issues that affected Nigerians in general.
“He was very passionate about Nigeria’s progress and contributed immensely to the expansion of progressive politics, especially in the Southwest. Senator Adeleke was a loving man, a peacemaker, a grassroots politician and a detribalised Nigerian, who was well loved by his people,” Ambode said.
The governor prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul, urging his family to draw strength from the fact that he made meaningful impact during his lifetime.
Ambode commiserated with the people of Osun State, especially the people of Osun West Senatorial Zone and Governor Rauf Aregbesola on the sad loss.
Fayose, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, described Adeleke’s death as shocking and a painful exit of a political icon.
Fayose said “the political history of Osun State will never be complete without the name of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, occupying a conspicuous space as one who braced the political trail of the state by being the first elected governor at the age of 36.
“Despite being governor at a youthful age of 36, he contributed immensely to the state’s development and maintained his political relevance since the early nineties till his death.”
The governor, who said he was sad and pained by the death, added: “Senator Adeleke will be sorely missed by the entire people of Osun State in particular and Nigeria in general.”
He urged the family, the entire people of Ede as well as the people of Osun State to take solace in the fact that Senator Adeleke made indelible marks on the political and developmental sands of Osun State.
“We will continue to pray, trusting that Allah in His infinite mercies will grant his soul Al-Jannah Firdaus,” he said.
Jonathan extended his condolences to the family of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke as well as the government and people of Osun State.
The ex-president’s condolence message was contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze.
He described the late Adeleke as a national icon and great philanthropist, who was warm and lively.
He said: “I received the news of the death of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke with a sense of great personal loss. It is hard to imagine that the very lively and warm ‘Serubawon’ has died.
“Though I am saddened by his death, I give God the glory for his life of contribution to Osun State, where he was the first civilian governor and to Nigeria, where he was an icon and to humanity in general because he was a great philanthropist.
“He will be greatly missed and the void his death has caused will be hard, if not impossible to fill. May his soul rest in peace and may he achieve Aljanna Firdaus.
“I pray that God grant his family and supporters the fortitude to bear his loss. Adieu great Asiwaju of Ede,” he stated.
