Sympathisers besiege deceased’s residence

Sympathisers on Wednesday  besieged the Ilorin  residence of  Dr. Olusola Saraki to mourn his death, the News Agency of Nigeria  reports.

The elder statesman died in the early hours of Wednesday in Lagos.

NAN reports that most of the early callers at the residence were Peoples Democratic Party  members  in the state while many women,  who could not control their emotions, wept openly. 

Chief Theophilus Bamigboye, a one-time Military Administrator of Osun and Bauchi States,  said   Saraki’s exit  was “an irreparable loss” to the state and Nigeria at large.

He said, “I must say that  I am short of words to express myself. The death of the Second Republic Senate Leader is no doubt a big minus for the state.

“The vacuum created by his death would be difficult to fill. It is an irreparable loss.”

Alhaji Kayode Yusuf, an aide to the late Saraki, said the state had missed one of its best citizens.

“I cannot say anything for now please;  we have really lost one of the best that Allah gave us in this state,” he said.

Alhaji Oba Olanrewaju, a member of the PDP’s Elders’ Forum in Ilorin Emirate, said  he received the news with  “shock and disbelief.’’

He said, “I must say that  I received the news of the death of Baba Saraki with  shock and disbelief.

“I know that all living creatures will die one day, but the news came to me as a rude shock.”

Meanwhile, a lawyer, Mr.  Hussain Buhari, has described the death of  Saraki as a great loss to the country.

Buhari  told NAN in an interview that Saraki’s death would affect the political landscape of the state.

“Saraki’s death will affect the political landscape of Kwara because the qualities he possessed cannot be inherited,’’ he said.

Another lawyer, Mr Babatunde Gegele,  said  Saraki’s death had marked the end of  an era in Kwara politics.

Mr. Abdul-Rahoof Bello, the former Media and Publicity Secretary of the ANPP in Kwara, said Saraki was “a political torch bearer of the Ilorin Emirate”.

He added, “His philanthropic acts  would be missed by the vast majority.”

Akeem Aiyedun, a member of the House of Representatives on his part, expressed his shock over the death of  Saraki.

Aiyedun,  who is representing Irepodun, Isin, Ekiti and Oke-Ero Federal Constituency,  told NAN that  Saraki was  “a fearless leader who would be missed till eternity”.

He said, “You know what Saraki means to all of us in his camp, even beyond; we are still at a  loss over his untimely death.

“I am particularly  in a state of shock over his death. That is all I can say for now.

“We pray for his soul to rest in peace while God should give the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye,  described Saraki as the pillar behind traditional institutions  in Kwara and beyond.

“He is very much loved by traditional authorities both in Kwara and beyond because of his respect and honour for that office,’’ he said.