Adeleke: Omoluabi Caucus Sympathizes with Family, Chides Lasun Yussuf Over Remarks

By Segun Adejumo

The Omoluabi lawmakers’ caucus in the Federal House of Representatives has sympathized with the Adeleke family in Ede over the sudden death of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, who was representing Osun West Senatorial District at the Senate.

According to the lawmakers, Adeleke’s death was a rude shock and irreparable losses to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osun state, the National Assembly and Nigeria at large, saying that his death has created a vacuum not only in his family but in the political architecture of the progressives in the state.

The lawmakers in a press statement jointly signed by APC legislators express their grief over Adeleke’s death just as they chided the Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps, Hon Lasun Yussuf over what they described as mischievous comment on the directive of the APC over the 2018 governorship election.

The APC lawmakers are: Mrs Ayo Omidiran, representing Irewole/Isokan/Ayedade Federal Constituency, Hon Ajibola Famurewa, representing Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Hon Akintayo Amere, representing Ayedire/Iwo/Olaoluwa federal constituency, Hon Femi Fakeye, representing Ila/Boluwaduro/Ifedayo federal constituency, Prof Mojeed Alabi, representing Ede-South/Ede-North/Egbedore/Ejigbo federal constituency and Hon Yinka Ajayi, representing Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin federal constituency in Osun.

They stated that Yussuf was consumed by emotion for misinforming members of the House of Reps at the floor of the House that he and Adeleke were singled out and sternly warned by the APC leadership in the state to desist from going forward with their campaign to contest the 2018 Governorship Election.

The lawmakers stated that Yussuf’s statement was far from the truth as the party did not and at no time single anybody out on the directive.

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Text of Press Statement by State of Osun caucus in the House of Representatives

Ladies and Gentlemen The Omoluabi caucus of the State of Osun in the House of Representatives received the news of the sudden and most shocking death of Sen. Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke in the early hours of Sunday the 24th of April 2017.

As we pray for the Soul of the departed to rest in peace, we commiserate with the immediate Adeleke Family and the people of Ede, our colleagues in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Our party the All Progressives Congress and all the People of the State of Osun on this great Loss.

We thank the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for yielding the floor of the Hallowed chambers to allow members to pay respect to the memory of this most illustrious Nigerian from the State of Osun whose sudden death has left a huge vacuum not only in his family but in the Political architecture of the Progressives in the State of Osun.

At this most difficult times for all of us trying to fully comprehend the full impact of this huge loss, we are further saddened by the spate of what we hitherto believed were natural and spontaneous reactions by certain people to news of the death of Senetaor Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, which has culminated in a spate of violent reactions and attacks within the Ede community.

We appeal to all and sundry to allow the Family and the people of the State of Osun to mourn this wonderful personality in a most peaceful and responsible manner devoid of statements loaded with insinuations and innuendo capable of rousing already saddened hearts and minds.

Such Statements include the statement made by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Lasun Yussuf on the floor of the House on Tuesday the 25th of April, insinuating that our party the All Progressives Congress had singled him and the Late Senator out and sternly warned both to desist from going forward with their campaign to Contest the 2018 Governorship Election in the State of Osun.

Nothing could be further from the truth. What is on record is that there was a time when there was a frenzy of declarations of aspirations to be Governor of the State by over 15 members of our party, including other members of the National Assembly. The party in its wisdom, so as not to heat up a fragile polity, issued a blanket suspension of campaigns for gubernatorial aspirations for all party members. This was announced by the State Chairman of our party in September 2016 and still remains in force till date.

While we believe that our colleague, the deputy Speaker Rt Hon. Lasun Yusuff quite naturally would have been consumed by emotions while making his speach due to the pains of the loss of the distinguished Senator, we call on him to call the press to set the record straight. To so do will be the part of honour and respect to the memory of the Late Senator.

May the almighty God console the family and give them the grace and fortitude to bear this loss. Thank you all