The late Jide Tinubu

Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, National Leader of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress, APC on Friday spoke for the first time about the sudden death of  his eldest son,  Mr Kazeem Olajide Babajide Tinubu and why he has to leave Nigeria in the wake of tragedy.

The former governor of Lagos State, according to The Cable, confirmed that his son died of cardiac arrest.

Tinubu also explained that he has to leave Nigeria to be with family left behind by the deceased, even as he expressed appreciation to all those who have been sending condolence messages to him, across the political divide.    

The statement, published by The Cable reads, “My son was a highly intelligent person with a vibrant personality and a zest for life, Tinubu said.

“I wish I could bring my son back but I cannot. However, what I can do is to be more caring and helpful to the living as I know this is what Jide would want to become of his passing.”

“Jide lived for so long in London and there he has left behind a darling wife and three precious boys. My wife,  Remi,  and I have gone to London to be with them at this painful time to support and help them.”

“Please excuse our absence from Lagos for a while but it is essential that we are with them. Prayers are being offered and will continue to be offered for the repose of his soul. I have suffered a grave loss that no parent would like to bear. ”

“As a father, I must spend time putting my arms around the family he has left behind.”

“He followed his own course and made his own way on his own terms. Those who knew him could not help but like him. Yet, he was taken away by cardiac arrest when it seemed he had so much life to still live.”

“This is a reminder that we must live each day to its best as none of us know when our last day shall be. Mortality comes upon us all. We have no choice in that but we do have a choice whether we shall be good or bad, just or unjust. Let us all strive toward the best in ourselves.”

“We must seek a lesson in every loss. Your reaction to my son’s passing has taught me that we can be a people of profound love and humanity when we want to be. People of every tribe, region, faith and every political affiliation have expressed their sympathy and extended to me the embrace of a brother or sister.”

“Even those who don’t agree with me politically have shown strong support and care indistinguishable from that of my associates. This says so much about the innate goodness in all of us. For no matter what, we are not foes or enemies. We are all of one human stock, a single nation, one family.”