Sympathisers Besiege Saraki's Residence In Ilorin

Date: 2012-11-15

Sympathisers on Wednesday in Ilorin besieged the GRA residence of the late Dr Olusola Saraki to mourn his demise, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The elder statesman died in the early hours of Wednesday in Lagos from a protracted illness.

NAN reports that most of the early callers at the residence were politicians from the PDP in the state while many women, who could not control their emotions, were sighted weeping at the passage of the elder statesman.

NAN also observed that some youths were clearing the bush around the residence of the late politician in preparation for his burial.

Chief Theophilus Bamigboye, a one-time Military Administrator of Osun and Bauchi States , said the demise of Saraki was ‘an irreparable loss’ to the state and Nigeria at large.

"I must say that I am short of words to express myself. The death of the Second Republic Senate Leader is no doubt a big minus for the state.

"The vacuum created by his death would be difficult to fill. It is an irreparable loss," he said.

Alhaji Kayode Yusuf, an aide to the late Saraki, said while sobbing that the state had missed one of its best citizens.

"I cannot say anything for now please; we have really lost one of the best that Allah gave us in this state," he said.

Alhaji Oba Olanrewaju, a member of the PDP's Elders’ Forum in Ilorin Emirate, said that he received the news with " shock and disbelief."

"I must say that I received the news of the death of Baba Saraki with shock and disbelief.

" I know that all living creatures will die one day, but the news came to me as a rude shock," he said.

Meanwhile, a lawyer, Mr Hussain Buhari, has described the death of Saraki as a great loss to the country.

Buhari told NAN in an interview that Saraki’s death would affect the political landscape of the state.

"Saraki’s death will affect the political landscape of Kwara because the qualities he possessed cannot be inherited,'' he said.

Another lawyer, Mr Babatunde Gegele, said Saraki’s death marked the end of an era in Kwara politics.

Similarly, Mr Abdul-Rahoof Bello, the former Media and Publicity Secretary of the ANPP in Kwara, said Saraki was " a political torch bearer of the Ilorin Emirate."

"His philanthropic acts would be missed by the vast majority," he added.

Hon. Akeem Aiyedun, a member of the House of Representative, on his part expressed shock over the death of Saraki.

Aiyedun, who is representing Irepodun, Isin, Ekiti and Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, told NAN that Saraki was "a fearless leader who would be missed till eternity."

"You know what Saraki means to all of us in his camp, even beyond; we are still at a loss over his untimely death.

"I am particularly in a state of shock over his death. That is all I can say for now.

"We pray for his soul to rest in peace while God should give the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss," he said.

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, described Saraki as the pillar behind traditional institutions in Kwara and beyond.

"He is very much loved by traditional authorities both in Kwara and beyond because of his respect and honour for that office," he said.

" His selfless service and advocacy toward improving the role of traditional rulers in the act of governance would forever be remembered," he said.

Mr Peter Oyinloye, the President, Omu-Aran Development Association, said Saraki’s death was a monumental loss to the people of Kwara and the country at large.

"He was rallying point for the elite and the political class.

"We are only consoled with the fact that he left behind good and solid legacies for generations yet unborn," he said.

ACN flag bearer in the 2011 governorship poll, Dele Belgore, said Nigeria had lost a politician who touched the lives of many people and whose contributions would be debated for years to come.

Belgore was among the early callers at the Ikoyi residence of the late politician on Wednesday morning.

Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, an aide to Belgore, quoted Belgore in a condolence message as saying:

"We are saddened by the sudden death of our father, Abubakar Olusola Saraki, who passed away today. No doubt, Nigeria has lost a political giant.

"He was a man who touched the lives of many people and whose contributions would be debated for years to come especially in Kwara where he was the dominant figure for over four decades.

"We condole with the family and friends and pray that the Almighty Allah grant him eternal rest."

The Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, described the death of Saraki as a monumental loss to Nigeria.

He said the late politician lived an exemplary life and dedicated his life to the service of his people, particularly the downtrodden.

Oba described the late politician as a philanthropist of note who used his wealth to help the ordinary people.

 


Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Nnazua     20 Billion Bond     Olokoba     Bello John Olanrewaju     Yusuf A. Usman     Maryam Nurudeen     Tunji Ajanaku     CACOVID     Oniye     Muazam Nayaya     National Information Technology Development Agency     Tunde Mukaila Mustapha     Arinola Lawal     General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport Ilorin     Mohammed Alabi Lawal     Elerinjare     College Of Health     Shoprite     Suleman Abubakar     ARMTI     Alaaya     Abatemi Usman     Curfew     KW-GIS     Ilorin Amusement Park     Alagbado     Tafida Of Kaiama     Olabode George Towoju     Rebecca Olanrewaju     Idowu Laro     Oloruntoyosi Thomas     Kwara Apc     Mohammed Yisa     Adebayo Salami     Omu-aran     Dan Iya Of Ilorin     Vasolar-Kwara Company Ltd     Abubakar B.M     Riskat Opakunle     Oladimeji Thompson     Tunde Akanbi     Ilorin Curfew     Rotimi Atere     Olaoye B. Felix     Kwha.gov.ng     REO CAKES     Apado     Tunji Olawuyi     Folorunsho Erubu     Aro Yahaya     Abdulwaheed Musa     Siraj Oyewale     Muritala Awodun     Pacify Labs     Raymond Olaitan     Saba Jibril     Federal Allocation     Abdullahi Dasilva Yussuf     Omoniyi M. Ayinla     Okeose Christian Cementary     Sola Saraki Educational Foundation     Idris Amosa Saidu     Sabi     Yakubu Shaaba     Maigida Soludero Transit     Oba Abdulraheem     George Funsho Adebayo     Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund     UTME     M.Y. Abdulrahaman     National Pilot     Saka Aleshinloye     A.E. Afolabi     PharmAccess Foundation     Paul Odama     Cassava Growers\' Association     Association Of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Kwara State Health Insurance Agency     Ayodele Kuburat Olaosebikan     Malete     National Association Of Nigerian Students     Ahmad Olayiwola Kamaldeen     Mohammed Ghali Alaaya     International Aviation College     Akom Construction And Engineering Synergy Ltd     Dapo Teni Nig Enterprise     College Of Health     Pilgrims Board     Seni Saraki     Post Utme     Opaleke Bukola Iyabo     Sam Okaula     School Of Nursing     Jimoh Bashir     Kwara-SAPZ Project     Aremu Bose Deborah     Usman Rifun     Ajase-Ipo     Budo-Egba     Aliyu Olatunji Ajanaku     Plat Technologies     March 28     SUBEB     Sheikh Ridhwanullah     Yakub Lai Gobir     Aminu Ado Bayero     Code Of Conduct Tribunal     Lanre Issa Onilu     Royal FM     Ibrahim Oniye     Post-utme     New Model Police Station     Bello Abubakar     Bashiru Makama     Jimoh Saadudeen Muhammed     Emir Of Lafiagi     Kwara Central     Taiwo Joseph     Tafida     Abiodun Abdulkareem     Yusuf Amuda Aluko     Ibrahim Sulu Gambari     Tunde Oyawoye     Maja     Sheriff Shagaya     Bayo Ojo     Innocent Okoye     Ajuloopin     Abdulkadir Jimoh     Kwasu     Ojo Fadumila     Sola Saraki Educational Foundation     Samuel Adaramola     Idi-Ape     Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum     Abatemi Usman     Societe Generale Bank Of Nigeria     Nigeria Computer Society     Dorcas Afeniforo     Wahab Isa     Oba Abdulkadir La\'aro     Hassan Abdulazeez Elewu     Kwara Liberation Group     Neuropsychiatric Hospital     Unilorin FM     IPSAS     Economic And Financial Crimes Commission     Oke-Oyi     Hijaab     Iyabo Adisa Ibiyeye     John Olobayo     Modupe Oluwole     Alfa Modibbo Belgore     Aisha Ahman-Pategi