Jonathan, Mimiko, Aregbesola, Shekarau, others react
KWARA politics aficionado and Senate Leader in the Second Republic, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, is dead.
He reportedly died on Wednesday morning in Lagos.
His son, Bukola Saraki, a Senator, said in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday:
``With gratitude to Almighty Allah, we announce the passage to eternity of our beloved father and grandfather, His Eminence, Oloye (Dr) Abubakar Olusola Saraki, Waziri of Ilorin, former Senate Leader, Second Republic, Federal Republic of Nigeria, who answered the call to great beyond early hours of today.
``We take solace in knowing that our father lived an exemplary life of service and selfless devotion to development of his people and nation,''the statement said.
The late Warizi of Ilorin, aged 79 years, was born on May 17, 1933 in Ilorin, Kwara State.
He attended Eko Boys High School before proceeding to the University of London and St George's Hospital Medical School, London.
Saraki worked as a medical officer at the General Hospital and the Creek Hospital both in Lagos.
His foray into politics in 1964 where he contested parliamentary election for Ilorin as an independent was futile, only to return from his medical practice to party-politics in 1978/79 resulting in his election as a Senator of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria from 1979-1983.
The body of the late politician is expected in Ilorin at 2:00 p.m while the burial is expected to take place at 4: 00 p.m.
REACTIONS
A consummate politician
President Goodluck Jonathan has described Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki "as one of Nigeria's most prominent political leaders, medical practitioner and democrat."
President Jonathan extended his sincere commiserations to the elder statesman's family and the people of his home state, Kwara to whose service and upliftment he selflessly devoted his long and very successful career in politics.
He urged them to be consoled by the knowledge that their departed father, leader and mentor lived a very successful and fulfilled life, rising to national prominence by dint of hard work, uncommon generosity, political sagacity, dedication and wholesome commitment to the service of his people and the entire nation.
President Jonathan believes that the late Dr. Saraki will be long remembered and eulogized as a consummate politician, an astute grassroots mobiliser, and a political colossus with awe-inspiring powers of political organisation.
The President has no doubts that this public-spirited politician will always occupy a place of honour in the hearts of his people, supporters, friends and associates across the nation.
He believes that the ordinary people of Kwara in particular will always remember the "Oloye" with great affection because of the constant support they received from him.
A great loss, says Mimiko
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has expressed shock over the demise of Dr. Chief Olusola Saraki, saying that the exit of the political gadfly is a great loss to the generation of political icons and nationalists in the country.
Governor Mimiko said Chief Olusola Saraki would be greatly missed for the roles he played in the nation's political history especially his pre-eminence in Kwara State politics where he was the numero uno.
IBRAHIM SHEKARAU SARDAUNAN KANO
A very rare politician, a gentle man, philantropist and a community leader whose absence has created a vacum difficult to filled, may Allah forgive his sins.
Saraki, end of an era - Ndoma-Egba
Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, has described the death of Second Republic Leader, Senator Olusola Abubakar Saraki as the end of an era in Nigerian politics.
The Senate Leader recalled that senator Saraki strongly holds democracy as the way to Nigeria's greatness and its rightful place in the comity of developed economies.
Ndoma-Egba noted that his late predecessor was a consummate party man, who was influential in formulating the legislative agenda of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic.
Rauf Aregbesola
The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has 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.
Professor Albert Folorunso Ogunsola
Professor Albert Folorunso Ogunsola, now nearing his centenary remained the closest ally of Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the late Turaki of Ilorin. Ogunsola a former Deputy Vice Chancellor University of Ilorin described the death of Saraki as shattering, sad and disturbing.
"We are going to miss his wealth of experience, his love for humanity, his generosity, his detribalization attitude and his apathy to religious bigotry, don't forget that his wife Florence is a practicing Christian while 'Olooye' died a Moslem," he added.
In the same vein, the Publicity Secretary of the APP/ ANPP in the state (2001 to 2005) AbdulRahoof Bello described the late politician as one who firmly controlled the political terrain of the state for almost half a century.
Bello told The Guardian, "it is very sad that the man who controlled the political terrain of Kwara for almost half a century is no more. He has created a big hole in the political firmament of the state. He emerged from obscurity and shook the socio political atmosphere of Nigeria like colossus. It was very sad that the man who built the strong tower left the stage when his services were still needed mostly. He had his own weaknesses as a person no doubt about it but we pray Allah to grant him eternal rest. "
The Secretary of the PDP in the state, Yemi Afolayan told The Guardian that 'Olooye' left the stage when his services were still mostly needed. "He devoted 70 per cent of his life to politics. Kwarans and indeed the whole nation would miss this great political scientist."
From the opposition camp came another reaction on the death of Saraki, as Hassan Oyeleke, Action Congress of Nigerian (ACN) representing Offa in the State House of Assembly described Saraki's death as sad and shocking. But Oyeleke, opined that those who had built their political hope on him would be worst off.
Kwara declares 3 days of mourning
The Kwara state government has declared a three- day mourning for the late Waziri of Ilorin, Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki.
The mourning days would end on Friday, November 16th, according Abdulwahab Oba the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.
Dafinone mourns Saraki
SECOND Republic Senator, Chief David Dafinone on Wednesday joined several dignitaries across Nigeria to mourn the death of his former colleague and friend, Senator Olusola Saraki, who died on yesterday.
In a condolence message to the Sarakis, Dafinone described the late Senator's death as painful, especially at a time when the country was at as crossroads.
Dafinone lauded Saraki's great concern for the unity of Nigeria and the growth of democracy.
He eulogized: "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 prayed God to grant the soul of the late politician eternal rest and grant members of the family the strength to bear the loss.
