The All Progressives Congress (APC) said on Sunday that it received news of the death of the first civilian governor of Osun State and APC Senator representing Osun West Senatorial Zone, Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke with shock and grief.
The Party, in a statement by Bolaji Abdullahi, its spokesperson, therefore expressed deep sympathies to the immediate family, people and government of Osun State over late Adeleke’s death.
“The late two-time Senator who served in the present 8th Senate as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market was a detribalized Nigerian, he was a democrat, an astute grassroots politician and philanthropist who distinguished himself in all positions of service he occupied.
“The history of Osun State would be incomplete without copious reference to late Adeleke’s contributions to the State’s social, political and economic development as its first elected Governor.
“The Party recall with pride that the establishment of a polytechnic at Iree, a College of Technology at Esa-Oke and the completion of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) are some of the notable legacies the late Adeleke’s administration bequeathed during his short stint as governor of the then newly-created Osun State.
The Party also noted that the late Adeleke was exemplary as Chairman, Governing Council, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Calabar, Nigeria as well as in several strategic Senate committees, viz: Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Integration and Cooperation, Housing and Air Force where he served as member.
“As Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the late Adeleke’s efforts at electoral reforms are noteworthy.
“With the death of Senator Adeleke, Nigeria has indeed lost an illustrious son whose wealth of experience was still needed as the present APC-led administration works to restore the country to the path of progress.
“The Party is however consoled by the fact that the late Adeleke lived an accomplished and impactful life. May the Almighty God give the late Adeleke eternal rest and the family, the strength to bear the great loss,” said APC.