Buhari, Saraki, Kalu, Tinubu, Ooni, Others Mourn Adeleke

Sympathisers, associates and family members wept profusely as the body of the first civilian Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, arrived his country home in Ede from Bicket Hospital, Osogbo where he died yesterday.

The body was brought to his house about 1 p.m. in a wine Sienna bus. Meanwhile, irate youths took to the major streets of the town to protest his death which they said was not ‘natural’.

The indigenes of the town attributed his death to spiritual forces from politicians, who felt threatened by his political high profile which could make him outsmart them in the next gubernatorial election in the state. He had expressed his intention for the position. Also, many residents and inhabitants of the town marched round the town to express their displeasure over Adeleke’s sudden death.

The development crippled the free flow of vehicles as the town stood still while several passengers were stranded. Many motorists, commercial motorcycle riders parked their vehicles and motorcycles to join the march to mourn the senator. At Sekona Road, a town adjourning Ede, some vehicles were vandalised by the protesters. Also, a journalist working with NTA, Mr. Tope Alabi and his cameraman were attacked by the protesting crowd before being rescued by Good Samaritans, who said the journalists came to perform their official duties.

One of Ede indigenes, Adewale Adetoro, told New Telegraph that Adeleke was at a function at Kuta in Ayedire Local Government Area of the state yesterday, hale and hearty. He wondered why he could just die like that this morning. Adetoro claimed that the deceased might have been killed spiritually because of his gubernatorial ambition.

It was, however, learnt that Adeleke’s body had been taken to the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital complex, Osogbo for autopsy while some claimed that, the autopsy would be carried out at Bicket Hospital where he died. Family sources said Adeleke’s brother had directed that an autopsy be carried out to ascertain the cause of his death. Adeleke, who reportedly slumped, following a suspected heart attack in the early hours of the day, died a few minutes after he was taken to Bicket Hospital.

The news of his death was confirmed to the people of Ede by the town’s traditional ruler, Oba Adesola Munirudeen. Meanwhile, the Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, has commiserated with the entire Yoruba race and members of the House of Oduduwa all over the world over suddenly deaths of three prominent sons of the race – Adeleke, Dipo Famakinwa and Olumide Bakare, which occurred within three days.

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday led the line of tributes for the late senator representing Osun West Senatorial district, Adeleke. Others who paid tribute to the late senator included the All Progressives Congress, a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former President of the Senate, David Mark, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, state governors, among others.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed shock over Adeleke’s death. In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party expressed deep sympathies to the immediate family, people and government of Osun State over his death.

Also, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State described Adeleke’s death as shocking, disheartening and sad. Osun State government said it was still in shock over Adeleke’s death. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State also condoled with the government and people of Osun State over Adeleke’s death.

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday described Adeleke’s death as “a rude shock.” Former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Kalu lamented the death, describing the late politician as a grassroot mobiliser and a people person.

According to Kalu, the late Senator’s contribution to the socio- political development of Nigeria was remarkable having served as the first civilian governor of the State of the living spring. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said, “I was shocked to hear the news of the passing of Senator Isiaka Adeleke. “ The late senator was a prominent political figure in the political circle owing to his goodwill.”