The Generalissimo of Kwara politics, Dr Olusola Saraki, fondly called Oloye, had long foreseen his death and had prepared well ahead for it, given the scenarios that played out some weeks before he passed on.

Nigerian Tribune can reveal authoritatively that Saraki deliberately chose the period of the last Eid-el-fitr celebration, couple of weeks ago, to hint his family members, political disciples, godsons and friends about his impending journey to the great beyond, as he called them to his side batch by batch to pray for each one.

The strong pillar of Kwara politics was said to have even bequeathed his precious belongings such as money, landed properties, his holy books, apparels and souvenirs to very close family members and aides, as part of hints on his impending departure.

The most touching gesture detailing the large heart demonstrated by Saraki to his followers centered on how he dashed out one of his wide expanses of land in Ilorin two weeks ago to market women who were initially driven out of the Ago market where they had been doing business for decades.

Saraki, on hearing of the predicament of the market men and women, reportedly ordered that one of his parcel of land at Ilorin, be shared out to them fairly so that they could continue with their businesses.

Nigerian Tribune can also reveal that Saraki had invited his close aides to Lagos during his last days and blessed them profusely for the loyalty they had all shown to him and his cause, just as he entreated them to continue to operate in unison for the sake of the progress of Kwara State.

Saraki entreated his aides to continue politics of serving the downtrodden from where he stopped, as he went further in telling them that he was already done with the assignment given to him by God, urging them never to disappoint him after he might have gone.

One of the close aides of Saraki, Alhaji Abdullahi Ayodeji, who was with him few weeks ago, confirmed that the grandmaster of Kwara politics, invited heads of parastatals, local heads, commissioners, local government officials and close family members to his residence in Lagos, one after the other to prepare them for his final exit.

Saraki, he said, broke the news that he had appealed at different times to Senator Gbemi Saraki who, he felt, was most aggrieved about some certain issues, to bury the hatchet with her brothers and sisters, most especially the serving Senator, adding that the late Waziri of Ilorin expressed optimism at the end that his two most prominent children would bury the hatchet soon.

Alhaji Ayodeji said, "I was there when Baba told us to beg Gbemi. He appealed to everybody to look out for Gbemi and apologise to her on his behalf for the wrongs the Saraki family might have done to her.

He said although Saraki looked healthy as of the time he met with batches of his supporters and officials of government in Kwara State in Lagos, there was no mistaking the hint that the grandmaster of politics was preparing for his exit.

The crack within the Saraki political family had widened shortly before the 2011 general election when the deceased had to step aside from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to form a new political party, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) on the strength of refusal by the PDP to allow Senator Gbemi Saraki use the platform to actualise her governorship ambition.

Although, the senator contested the governorship election in Kwara state on the platform of ACPN, she could not muster sufficient votes to outplay the incumbent governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, notwithstanding the strong backing she enjoyed from the elder Saraki.

Gbemi, since the last general election has been keeping a low profile in politics as she left the country afterwards for the United States where she stayed for some time before returning to Nigeria.

About two weeks to his eventual death on Wednesday morning, Dr Olusola Saraki could neither eat nor drink, a domestic staff in his Ikoyi home revealed to the Nigerian Tribune yesterday.

He was reportedly being fed through drips.

But for cancer that he reportedly battled for about five years, he would have turned 80 on May 17, 2013.

Nigerian Tribune crew which was the first caller at about 7.30 a.m. in his Ikoyi home where he eventually passed on, was also informed that the scion of the family and former Governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki had engaged four expatriate medical doctors to attend to him at home and they were there until he breathed his last.

Bukola's sister and former senator, Gbemisola Saraki-Fowora also reportedly brought an additional white woman doctor to join the team of doctors on the ground, all in a bid to stop cancer from further ravaging his body.

One of Saraki's sons, Olu, told the Nigerian Tribune that the deceased had been coming in and out of the ailments caused by the said cancer for about six years, disclosing that he eventually gave up the ghost at about 6.30 a.m on Wednesday.

Olu said the Saraki patriarch died in the presence of his (Olu) older sister and mother.

Saraki's death came just four days after that of former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina, who died on Sunday at St Nicolas Hospital.

The vicinity of the late Saraki's home on Cameron Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, wore a mournful look, as prominent Nigerians trooped in to sympathise with the family.

Bukola arrived at the Ikoyi residence at 9.37 a.m and was said to have travelled down from Abuja. Former Ekiti State governor, Chief Niyi Adebayo, came in around 9.50 a.m.

Others who visited the residence included former governor of Lagos State and leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Bola Tinubu; a frontline businessman, Chief Kunle Ojora; an industrialist, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas; members of the House of Representatives, Gbenga Makanjuola and Habeeb Fashinro; former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and Professor Olu Akinyanju, founder, Sickle Cell Foundation.

Confirming the death of Dr Saraki, in a statement on Wednesday, the Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, said Saraki died in his Lagos State home on Wednesday morning.

The remains of Senator Saraki departed Lagos for Ilorin, Kwara State capital, for burial, around 3.20 p.m on Wednesday.

The body, conveyed in a brown wooden casket, arrived at a private terminal of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in a long convoy accompanied by his three children, among whom were Senators Bukola and Gbemisola Saraki.

Four private jets were used to convey the deceased, the entire family and their sympathisers to Ilorin.

While three jets belonging to Rivers State government and private operators conveyed the children, an aircraft belonging to Overland Airways, ATR 42, with registration number 5N-BCR, piloted by Captain Edward Boyo, was used to convey the remains of the late senator to Ilorin for burial.

Dressed in traditional white agbada and a cap to fit, Senator Bukola Saraki declined to entertain questions from waiting journalists.

Also his sister, Gbemisola, refused to comment when probed by journalists.

The Ilofa Road GRA residence of the elder statesman turned a Mecca of sort to political associates, government functionaries, eminent personalities, ordinary people and friends, who had come to confirm and pay their last respect.

Gbemisola wept profusely at the Ilorin airport on Wednesday, when she arrived the airport with her siblings to bury their father at about 4.14 p.m.

She had to be consoled by his brother, Bukola and other relations at hand.

The environment became charged and emotional when the corpse landed at the airport, as the shout of Allahu Akbar rented the air.

Thousands of people, including family, friends, relations and dignitaries of late Saraki thronged the Yidi prayer ground, Ilorin, where the late former Senate Leader was buried.

Saraki's corpse arrived Ilorin International airport in an Overland aircraft by 4.30 p.m.

Earlier the Saraki family, led by wife, Mrs Florence, Senators Bukola and Gbemisola Saraki, Mrs Tope Saraki-Edu and Olaolu, had earlier arrived in a Rivers State aircraft marked N565RS.

Dignitaries who came to receive the corpse included Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, National Planning Minister, Samsudeen Usman, who led the Federal Government's delegation; Internal Affairs Minister, Abba Moro; Senator Andy Uba; former Gombe State governor, Senator Danjuma Goje and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi.

Others included former acting national chairman of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje and his predecessor in office, Alhaji Haliru Bello Mohammed; Chief Jim Nwobodo and Dr Wale Babalakin.

The list also included Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdulahi; Managing Director of GTBank, Mr Segun Agbaje, and Alhaji Kola Abiola.

All federal legislators from the state were also on the ground.

At the eid prayer ground, the Chief Imam, Mohammad Bashir, led the prayers at about 5.05 p.m.

People thronged into the venue in their multitude and lined streets leading to the eid arena, as many supporters struggled to catch a glimpse of the corpse.

It took several moments before the corpse was brought out of the ambulance for prayers.

After the prayer, the corpse was taken to the Ilofa home of the late elder statesman, at about 6.05 p.m and lowered into the grave at about 6.20 p.m.

Reactions have since started pouring in for Dr Saraki, as many people, including political associates described him as a political leader with a difference.

In his reaction, the eldest son and senator representing Kwara Central senatorial district of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki, said "with gratitude to Almighty Allah, we announce the passage to eternity of our beloved father and grandfather, Oloye (Dr) Abubakar Olusola Saraki, Waziri of Ilorin, former Senate Leader, Second Republic, Federal Republic of Nigeria, who answered the call to the great beyond, in the early hours of today in Lagos."

He was a political colossus - Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan described late Saraki as a political colossus with awe-inspiring powers of political power of organisation.

According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, in Abuja, on Wednesday, Jonathan joined all Nigerians in mourning Saraki, who he described as "one of Nigeria's most prominent political leaders, medical practitioner and democrat."

"Dr Saraki's brand of people-oriented politics and his success in building on his strong support base to contribute positively to Nigeria's political development as a powerful voice in the nation's dominant political parties, as the Senate Majority Leader in the Second Republic and as the ultimate reference point in the politics of Kwara State for decades, have assured him of a place amongst Nigeria's heroes of democracy," Jonathan said.

We have lost a political icon - Mark
Senate President, David Mark, described the death of Saraki as "the loss of a political giant, whose vacuum will be difficult to fill."

Mark, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the demise of Saraki was a sad loss of a shinning star of Nigerian politics.

He said that the late politician was an icon, "a political tactician and political engineer who navigated the political environment like a colossus."

A quintessential politician - Tambuwal
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hononourable Tambuwal, on Wednesday, described the late Dr Saraki as "a quintessential politician and father-figure, who gave his all for the development of the country."

In a message of condolence issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said Saraki had earned his place as one of Nigeria's most consistent advocates of democracy.

He said Saraki would be best remembered for his pioneering role in the formation of leading political parties in the country, especially during the Second Republic, which led to the establishment of the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and in the present dispensation, the All Peoples Party, now All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP).

A statesman of immense character - Tinubu
Leader of the ACN, Bola Tinubu, described the late Saraki as a statesman of immense character, adding that "Saraki was a national hero to many of us in this country and had greatly contributed to the freedom and political emancipation of Nigerian democracy.

"His death came as a shock, but he has lived a very fulfilling life. His death is a loss to the country."

Chief Adekunle Ojora
"We learnt this morning the demise of a friend, father, in-law to the royal House of Ojora. We are mourning the demise of a great man. He was great in life, he had a great statute, role in political revolution of Nigeria. It cannot be denied anywhere. May his soul rest in peace."

Prof Olu Akinyoju
"It is great loss to the country. We have lost a very great man. I have known him for years as doctor. It is a great loss. I know him as a doctor in LUTH, that's where I know him. And that was in 1967. Although I didn't follow him into politics, I know he was a great man, not only to Kwarans but Nigerians at large. He will be greatly missed. He has carved his name in gold. The Kwarans would immortalise him, because he did a lot."

Lai Mohammed
"It is a loss to the nation, not only to Kwara State alone. No matter what side or divide you belong to, he was a colossus. He was a man that defined his era politically. He has entered into politics in the last 30 to 35 year. He has completely dominated the politics in Kwara State. He is one of the last tartans. We mourn him and we hope sincerely that Nigeria will be able to recover fast."

Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas
"I am very sad, very sad. A good man has left us. I can't say more than that. If you know the meaning of that and know how close I was to him, you just stop asking me question. It is very sad."

Ex-Gov Niyi Adebayo
"It came as a bit of shock. He is one of the great Nigeria that we have, great Nigerian politician, great Nigeria patriot. It is saddening that he has died. One would have prayed for him to live many more years, so that Nigeria will benefit more from him and his experience. It is a great loss."

Prof Agboola Gambari
"I was deeply saddened by the news of the passing away of the charismatic and hugely successful political leader in Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State, North Central geopolitical zone and Nigeria as a whole.

"Whether or not one agrees with his politics or methods, there is no doubt that the late Dr Saraki had, single-handedly, built a grass roots political machine that has endured for decades.

"The late Dr Saraki will be remembered, especially by the people of his primary constituency, for his humility, generousity and commitment. And throughout his political life, he remained an unapologetic defender of the traditional institutions of the Ilorin Emirate. May he rest in peace. Amen."

Meanwhile, my thoughts and prayers go to members of the Saraki family as they mourn the irreplaceable loss of their patriarch."