AFTER about 4 decades of his active participation in Kwara State politics, Abubakar Olusola Saraki, former leader of the federal senate and influential power broker in regional politics was laid to rest on Wednesday.
Saraki, known to political associates and admirers in Kwara and beyond as “Oloye,” was interred at about 6.30 pm at his country home in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Sharpedgenews.com broke the story of the influential politician’s death in the early hours of Wednesday, following an exclusive tip from a close associate of the Saraki family. The Kwara State government initially questioned the veracity of the breaking news of Saraki’s death, sending out signals to the same effect, prompting further clarifications that were substantiated by indisputable sources.
As news of the death of the former senate president spread, prominent Nigerians from across the country emerged to express the condolences and praise for the late politician.
According to a press release from President Goodluck Jonathan’s office, Dr. Saraki, who was a medical doctor by training was a man who lived a “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.”
The statement signed by the president’s senior aide on media went on to say that memories of the late “Oloye” will live on in the hearts of the people of Kwara for a long time to come.
“Dr. Saraki’s brand of people-oriented politics and his success in building on his strong support base to contribute positively to Nigeria’s political development as a powerful voice in the nation’s dominant political parties, as the Senate Majority Leader in the Second Republic, and as the ultimate reference point in the politics of Kwara state for decades, have assured him of a place amongst Nigeria’s heroes of democracy,” the statement added.
Other Nigerians, too, reacted to the news of Saraki’s death.
“Baba was truly a political timber, a colossus of wide diameter and a wonderful political strategist, said Mr. Segun Oni, a former governor and Peoples Democratic Party chieftain of the late politician, before adding that Saraki was “unarguably one of the most successful politicians in this part of the continent of Africa, having controlled the politics of Kwara State for over 40 years.”
Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who recently won a powerful mandate for a second term of office, in a press release signed by Mr. Akinmade Kayode, condoled with the Saraki family on the loss of its patriarch, saying that Saraki was a “great political avatar of our time who was a stabilizing force while he was the senate leader of the National Assembly of the second republic.”
In condoling with the members of the bereaved family and the people of Kwara, as well as the Federal Government, Governor Mimiko prayed that Allah will grant the deceased Aljana Fidaus as he served humanity well while here on earth.
The 79-year old Saraki died following a protracted case of cancer, according to family sources who spoke to media on Wednesday.
““He died in the presence of one of my brothers, my mother and my two sisters,” said one of the youngermembers of the family, adding that
The Kwara State House of Assembly adjourned sitting for eight days. Speaker Rasaq Atunwa ordered the suspension of all matters on yesterday’s order paper.
The House observed a two-minute silence in Saraki’s honour and directed the national flag at the Assembly to be flown at half mast.
Kwara State Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed declared yesterday a work-free day to allow residents receive the body of the late politician in Ilorin. Besides, a three-day mourning period was announced.