Following the demise of the political godfather of Kwara State, some Second Republic politicians, who served with the Waziri of Ilorin, Dr Olusola Saraki have said he would be sorely missed because he was irreplaceable.
Second Republic Senator, David Dafinone, in a condolence message to the Saraki family yesterday, described the politician’s death as painful, especially at a time when Nigeria was in a state of flux.
Dafinone lauded Saraki’s great concern for the unity of Nigeria and the growth of democracy. “Dr. Saraki as a medical doctor, international businessman, philanthropist and politician gained the respect, trust and love of the entire country and he will be greatly missed,” he said.
Alhaji Lawal Kaita, who said he was deeply hurt and bereaved because Saraki “was a very excellent person and a good friend of mine,” added that late political icon would be greatly missed. “He was a balanced person, a philanthropist and a sound politician, who we should all learn from.”
Speaking in like manner, Second Republic Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande said: “Sakari’s death is a great loss to the nation, Yoruba people and Kwara people. The whole country will miss him. He was very courageous, dutiful and patriotic. We can learn from his achievements in our politics.”
Also Second Republic Senator, Obi Nosike Ikpo, who was shocked when the news of Saraki’s death was broken to him, exclaimed: “Oh no! Oh no!! What? Where did he die in London or his town, where? It is unfortunate; that is a tragedy. He was a good friend of mine, a fine gentleman with a golden heart.
“He was a great Nigerian, a colleague of mine. He distinguished himself as a leader of the Senate, carried everybody along including the opposition. He helped Shagari to succeed in the Senate.”
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Chris Anyanwu says the death of Saraki has robbed the country of one of her finest political strategists.
Anyanwu, who covered the Second Republic Senate for the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, noted how the late Saraki as Senate Leader harmonised political differences in the chamber for the good of the country.
Senator Smart Adeyemi in his own words described the demise of Saraki as a big loss for the masses saying that the late Senate Leader through his acts of goodwill established himself in the hearts of the people.
Noting his passion for the poor, Senator Adeyemi, PDP, Kogi West said: “The way he attended to people, his passion for the poor affected me and it made me to make up my mind to join politics.
“As a journalist, I once asked him how to succeed as a politician and he told me I must help the poor, the women and the youth. He said that when you help the poor, they write your matter in their hearts.”
Femi Fani-Kayode also paid tribute to the late politician saying he put smiles on many faces.
“I have just been informed about the passing on of Dr. Olusola Saraki and I am in deep shock. This news saddens me immensely. He was one of the greatest, kindest, most compassionate, most generous and most selfless leaders that we have ever had in this country. His power and influence stretched from the Second Republic when he was the Leader of the Senate on the platform of the NPN up until today.
He was my late father’s close and loyal friend and he was like a father to me and so many others. This is not a good time for him to go because Nigeria needs him now more than ever and we shall all miss him dearly. My heart goes out to the Saraki family.
On her part, Senator Joy Emodi said: “I was with him in the National Constitutional Conference in 1994 and he was chairman of the Business Committee and I remember him encouraging me, he helped me to build up my confidence in the political arena. He was my leader and I will ever remain grateful to him.
Governor of the State of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, described the death of Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki as unfortunate and sad.
In a statement issued by the Director of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said the death of Dr. Saraki is a big loss to the nation.
The governor said Dr. Saraki’s experience, knowledge, versatility and ingenuity in the art and dynamics of lawmaking and politics in general would be missed greatly.
The death of Dr Olusola Saraki has robbed Nigeria of an astute politician and elder statesman who was consistent in seeking and working for a better deal for his people and the country, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Ogun State, has said.
The former governor in a statement by his Media Assistant, Adegbenro Adebanjo, said Saraki belonged to the second generation of Nigerian nationalists who worked to keep Nigeria as a united country.
Also the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Vice Chairman (South-west), Chief Segun Oni said the late strongman of Kwara politics was an outstanding professional, grassroots man and leader.
Oni, who reacted to Saraki’s death through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Lere Olayinka said Kwara State people, Nigerians and in particular, the PDP will miss him so dearly.
To Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Saraki’s exit was a national loss to the country.
The deputy speaker in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Oke Epia, said Chief Saraki’s death at this time in the country’s drive towards consolidation of democracy is painful as the polity will miss his invaluable contributions in moving the nation forward.
He described the late Saraki as a nationalist, a compassionate personality, and a celebrated achiever whose life and times were largely dedicated to the improvement of the lives and living conditions of the poor .
In a condolence message to the scion of the family, Dr (Senator) Bukola Saraki, Governor Adams Oshiomhole said: “I received with shock news of the passing of your beloved father and patriarch of the Saraki family, distinguished Senator Abubakar Olusola Saraki. I wish to convey to you the deepest condolence of the people and Government of Edo State as well as my personal commiseration.
The death of distinguished Senator Abukakar Saraki at this time is no doubt a loss not only to the family but to the whole nation as the late former Senator Leader was a bridge builder who played politics of development and not politics of division.
While he will be sorely missed by the political class, the masses who regard him as their friend will miss him even more.
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun yesterday expressed shock over the death of Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr Olusola Saraki.
Governor Amosun, who condoled with the Nigerian Senate, government and people of Kwara State on the demise of the former federal legislator, described the exit of Dr Saraki as lamentable because it came “at this period of constitutional amendment process, when his wealth of experience would have been very useful.”
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has described the death of the erudite politician, as “the end of an era of one of Nigeria’s political legends.”
Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said Saraki bestrode the political terrain of Kwara State and the North Central like a colossus during his lifetime. He lamented that Saraki’s death came at a time when the polity was yet to recover from the shock of the demise of former Oyo State Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina, who died on Sunday.
