Aregbesola: Adeleke Was A True Man of The People

By Olabode Abolaji

Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has paid glowing tributes to the deceased Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District in the Senate, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke who passed on yesterday at the age of 62.

In a personal tribute by Aregbesola titled “ERIN WO, AJANAKU SUN BI OKE, A TITAN IS GONE” made available to the media in Osogbo on Monday, the Governor described one of his predecessors as a courageous and dogged politician who was a true man of the people.

He said the Late Adeleke was a charismatic politician and political leader with panache, passion and fervour that traversed the political spectrum, appealing to all social strata as he was at home with the grassroots despite being an elite.

The tribute reads “I received with deep shock but submission to the will of Allah (SWT) the news of the death of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke early this morning.”

“Senator Adeleke became the first civilian governor of Osun at the age of 37, barely a year after the creation of the state, at a period he was most energetic. He therefore laboured hard, giving his best, to lay a good foundation for the then young state, the impact of which we still feel today, even though he was in office for less than two years”.

Governor Aregbesola added that Senator Adeleke was a generous man who gave his all to the needy, friends and constituents, without favour to ethnicity, religion and background.

His words “He was a loyal party member and a team player who was determined to help realise the progressive agenda of the party, through legislation, not just in the whole country but in the State of Osun and Osun West Senatorial District as well.

“Senator Adeleke was a personal friend who was committed to my re-election with his entire being. He was unflinching in his support and commitment, even when the security agencies laid a siege to his residence on the eve of the August 9, 2014 governorship election.

“His death is very painful and a blow to us all. He is leaving a void in us, the Senate of the Federal Republic, Osun politics and his community in Ede that will be hard to fill. We give thanks to the Almighty God for the fruitful and exemplary life that Senator Adeleke lived,” Aregbesola continued.

The Osun State Governor stated that “On behalf of the government, the good people of Osun and my family, I offer sincere condolences to his wife and children, the Adeleke Family of Ede, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the APC national and in the State of Osun, the good people of Ede and the progressives family at large”.

“May God grant him eternal repose and Aljanna Fidaus”.