Isiaka Adeleke, a serving senator and first civilian governor of Osun State, has died.
He died in the early hours of Sunday, April 23, 2017 at a private hospital in Osogbo, the capital of the southwestern state which he once governed, after succumbing to a protracted ailment.
Senator Adeleke was 62 years.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the residence of the former governor in Ede reports that the atmosphere was tense as his corpse was brought in at about 1:10 p.m, preparatory to the Islamic burial rites at 4:p.m.
A huge crowd of sympathisers and family members were seen weeping uncontrollably on sighting the corpse of the late flamboyant politician and socialite.
A two-term senator, Adeleke had won the Osun West senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in 2007.
He, however, defected from the PDP in the build up to the 2015 general elections and had won again on the platform of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
Angry Youth Go Berserk As Adeleke Is Taken Home
Irate youths violently protested the demise of the senator alleging that he was murdered by his political opponents. Some specifically mentioned Governor Rauf Aregbesola as being behind Adeleke’s sudden demise.
The youth attacked some journalists at his home although some of them tried to calm the enraged youths.
One of the reporters, Tope Alabi of the Nigeria Television Authority, was beaten to stupor, with the station’s camera damaged and seized, Daily Post reports.
The journalists are said to be taking refuge in a hotel close to the house now for the tension to ease as at press time.
Saraki, Aregbesola, Nigerian Senate Mourn
Senator Bukola Saraki, the president of the Nigerian Senate and the governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola have joined a league of prominent Nigerians to express condolence to the Adeleke family and the people of Osun State on this loss.
My heart goes out to the family of Senator Isiaka Adeleke and the people of the great State of Osun.
Rest in Peace Distinguished Senator.
— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) April 23, 2017
I received with a deep sense of grief the news of the death of my brother and friend, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.
— Rauf Aregbesola (@raufaregbesola) April 23, 2017
My condolences to the Adeleke family, the people of Ede and the Osun APC family. Osun has lost an illustrious son.May God comfort the family
— Rauf Aregbesola (@raufaregbesola) April 23, 2017
In a statement e-mailed to The Trent, Senator Saraki described the death of Adeleke as “a personal loss”.
“My heart goes out to the family of Senator Adeleke, and the people of the great State of Osun,” Saraki said.
“Adeleke was a leader in every right, a formidable colleague, patriotic statesman, good family man and complete gentleman whose contributions to the development of the of Osun State in particular and the nation in general will never be forgotten.”
The senate president went on to eulogize Adeleke, who served as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market as a consummate reformer, courageous public servant and grassroots politician whose love for his people and commitment to national service remains unparalleled.
“From his track-record as a second term Senator, it is clear that Adeleke was a man who his people trusted to carry out their mandate in the Senate,” he said.
“He was always passionate about his work in the legislature, and showed competence, dedication and an ability to work with everyone to bring about the greater good. He will be sorely missed.”
The Nigerian Senate also mourned the late Senator, who is an uncle to popular Nigerian artiste, Davido.
Rest in Peace Distinguished Senator Isiaka Adeleke (APC-Osun West). pic.twitter.com/MkRLoqgjh3
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) April 23, 2017
