Former Lagos State Gov. Bola Tinubu, has described late Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, as a grassroots politician with rich political background.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), National Leader in a condolence message issued on Sunday in Lagos, said that the leadership and good counsel of Adeleke were still very much required when death came.
Adeleke, 62, also a former governor of Osun, died in the early hours of Sunday at a private hospital in Osogbo.
”I received the news of Senator Isiaka Adeleke’s death with 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.
”Sen. Adeleke was a grassroots politician with a rich political back ground. He was hugely popular in his Osun , 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 to 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, ” he said.
According to Tinubu, he left behind a legacy in the area of education by establishing Ire Polytechnic and College of Education, Esa-Oke, among other laudable things 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 Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.
”I commiserate with his wife and children. I commiserate with the entire Adeleke family and his friends and numerous supporters.
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State described Adeleke’s death as shocking, disheartening and sad.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka, the governor said he received the news of Adeleke’s sudden death with shock and disbelief.
Adeleke died in the early hours of Sunday at a private hospital in Osogbo after succumbing to a protracted ailment.
The governor described the late senator as a celebrated and committed politician, distinguished senator, grassroots mobiliser, socialite and great philanthropist.
Ajimobi said: “When the news filtered in that Sen. Adeleke was dead, l was extremely shocked and amazed.
“ I found it very difficult to believe, because he was bubbling with life when l saw him last.
Similarly, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, said said the deceased contributed immensely to the growth of the National Assembly.
“It is shocking. He was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market and he was active in ensuring that there was no problem in the Capital Market.
“He organised a summit recently on the Capital Market and it was a success. He was an achiever; we are going to miss him greatly,’’ he said.
The lawmaker prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest, and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.