The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has described the death of a two-term serving Senator, Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke as a sad personal loss.
Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described Adeleke — the first elected Governor of Osun State — as an important figure in the Eighth Senate.
“My heart goes out to the family of Senator Adeleke, and the people of the great State of Osun,” Saraki said, “Adeleke was a leader in every right, a formidable colleague, patriotic statesman, good family man and complete gentleman whose contributions to the development of the of Osun State in particular and the nation in general will never be forgotten.”
The Senate President went on to eulogize Adeleke, who served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market as a consummate reformer, courageous public servant and grassroots politician whose love for his people and commitment to national service remains unparalleled.
“From his track-record as a second term Senator, it is clear that Adeleke was a man who his people trusted to carry out their mandate in the Senate,” he said, “He was always passionate about his work in the legislature, and showed competence, dedication and an ability to work with everyone to bring about the greater good. He will be sorely missed.”
He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the larger Adeleke family, Osun West Senatorial District, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the entire people of the State of Osun.
In a related development, former President of the Senate, David Mark has expressed shock over the death of the senator describing his demise as a painful exit.
In a statement issued by Paul Mumeh, Media Assistant to Senator Mark, the former President of the Senate said “I am shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of my colleague, Senator Isiaka Adeleke . It is just devastating that he is no more.
“Senator Adeleke was a peace maker. He always craved for peace , equity , justice and national unity. Whenever we had challenges and tension in the Senate, Adeleke was always a ready hand to calm frayed nerves .
“A highly principled , focused and resourceful parliamentarian, he always identified with the ordinary people . He fought for the welfare of citizens without compromise . He practiced inclusive politics that provided the greatest benefit to largest number of his constituents.
” For him, politics is noble, a game and a call to serve without bitterness”.
In Adeleke, Senator Mark stated that the Senate and indeed the nation lost a detribalized parliamentarian and one of the best mangers of our democratic project.
” We shall miss his robust contributions to parliamentary debates . We shall miss his unbiased contributions to national issues. We shall miss his humours that were always laced with proverbs”.
Senator Adeleke died on Sunday morning in Osogbo, Osun State after a protracted illness. He was aged 62.
