Politicians and prominent Nigerians on Thursday sympathised with National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bola Tinubu, over the death of his son, Jide.
They condoled with Tinubu and the family in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
They prayed God to grant the Tinubu family the fortitude to bear the loss of their son.
Jide, the first son of the APC national leader, in his 30s, died of heart attack on Nov. 1 in Lagos and had since been buried.
The law graduate of University of Liverpool, England, obtained a Masters degree in Maritime Law from University of London and called to the Nigerian Bar in 1999.
He served as Promoter of TSL Limited and worked in the Legal Department of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited from January 2000 to September 2001.
He also had brief stints with Cargo Maritime, Paris, France, a firm of shipbrokers that specialises in petroleum product tankers, and Ocean and Oil Services Ltd.
Former Lagos State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Capt. Olatunji Shelle, prayed God to strengthen Tinubu over the loss of his son.
He said “I pray that God in his infinite mercy will grant Sen. Bola Tinubu the strength to bear the loss.
“May the good Lord grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.’’
Also, the National Chairman of National Unity Party (NUP), Chief Perry Opara, asked God to grant the family courage to bear the loss.
He said “may his soul rest in the bosom of the Lord. May God give the parents the fortitude to bear the loss.’’
The Executive Secretary of Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data, Mr Dennis Aghanya, urged Tinubu to look beyond his son’s death and move on.
He said “it is a loss to all of us who look up to him as a leader and a mentor.
“He should look beyond the sad event and move forward. May the Almighty God give him the fortitude to bear the loss.’’
Similarly, a Chieftain of APC in Kano State, Alhaji Musa Umar, expressed his condolences to the family, saying “it is indeed from God we came and to Him, we shall return.
“May Allah assuage your grief over the loss of your first son and grant you the patience to bear the loss. May his soul rest in peace.’’
The National Chairman of African Liberation Party (ALP), Chief Osita Okereke, expressed shock over Jide’s death.
Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger had also condoled with the Tinubu family in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Ndace in Minna on Thursday.
Bello described the death as a great loss to the APC and the country at large.
He said “the government and people of Niger commiserate with our great leader over the loss of his beloved son, Jide.
“News of the death came as a shock to me and I am deeply touched. Jide was a source of joy to his parents; we sympathise with the entire family and pray that they see his death as a test from God.’’
The Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), also on Thursday, commiserated with Tinubu over the son’s death.
The group described the death as a huge loss in a statement jointly signed by its Lagos State Coordinator, Mr AbdulWaheed Odunuga and General Secretary Adekunle Aderibigbe.
The group prayed God would give the Tinubu family, friends and supporters the fortitude
to bear the loss.
Also prominent Nigerians took to social media to send their condolences and support to the APC national leader over Jide’s death.
The Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, on Thursday, tweeted on her official Twitter handle @aishambuhari that “I’m deeply grieved to learn of the passing away of Jide Tinubu. My deepest condolences to the Tinubu family on this sad and painful loss”.
Gov. Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State, also on Twitter said “my deepest condolences to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his family on the great loss of your son. May Allah grant Jide eternal rest, Amen.’’
The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Twitter, wrote that “I commiserate with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over the sudden death of his son, Jide. May God console the Asiwaju Tinubu’s family and may his soul RIP”.
Also, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development on her official Twitter handle @SenAishaAlhassn wrote “my condolence to @AsiwajuTinubu over the demise of his son, may Allah grant Jide eternal rest & comfort the Tinubu family to bear the loss.’’
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu has also expressed shock over the sudden death of Jide .
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Ojudu said, “It is with a heavy heart that I commiserate with our national leader, mentor and brother, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the entire family over the untimely death of his first son, Jide. The sudden demise of the vibrant young man is shocking to me and is indeed a traumatic experience for the family at this time. May almighty Allah grant the soul of the departed eternal rest. May He also comfort and uphold Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and give the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”.
Also, Femi Fani-Kayode, wrote in a long tweet “deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of Jide Tinubu, the son of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“May his soul rest in peace and may the Lord grant his family and friends the grace to bear this loss. It is a real tragedy.”
Dele Momodu, former presidential candidate, also expressed his condolence on his page @Delemomodu “very sad to hear of the death of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s son
Jide. May Allah accept his soul and may He console the family.’’