Elder states man and founder of the defunct Nigeria Advanced Party (NAP) and a frontline politician Dr. Tunji Braithwaite is dead.
The 82-year-old lawyer reportedly died Monday morning after a brief illness at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos.His son, Olu, confirmed this. He is expected to be buried soon.
Braithwaite is survived by married his wife, Grace Falade,five children and many grand grandchildren.
However,President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the immediate family, friends, professional colleagues and political allies of elder statesman and pro-democracy activist, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, who passed away on Monday.
According to Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, the President believes the passing away of the lawyer, author and politician came at a time that his wisdom, intellectual depth, vast knowledge and experience were sorely needed by the country.
“President Buhari recalls the immeasurable contributions of the late sage to the development of democracy, rule of law and human rights in Nigeria, assuring his family and friends that the political history of the country would be incomplete without capturing his roles.
“The President urges political leaders to emulate the virtues of the founder of the Nigerian Advance Party (NAP) during the Second Republic, who perceived politics as a platform for honest service to the nation rather than an opportunity to make money.
“President Buhari notes that the elder statesman was quintessentially selflessness, patriotic and committed to national development as his passion to serve the people never waned despite not winning in the presidential elections.
“The President prays that the Almighty God will grant his soul eternal rest, and comfort his loved ones.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says the death of Nigeria’s veteran lawyer and politician, Mr. Tunji Braithwaite, has robbed the country of one of its greatest giants not only in the field of law, but also in politics.
Atiku, in a statement by his media office in Abuja on Monday, says he particularly admired the late Braithwaite because of his unwavering commitment to constitutional reforms, especially his agitation for restructuring of the country.
The former Vice President explains that he shares in Braithwaite’s passion for creating a fairer federal system that would reduce the fear of too much power and resources at the centre at the expense of the federating units.
Atiku says he was keenly following Braithwaite’s contributions on the issue when he was a delegate at the 2014 National Conference, adding that his consistency in the pursuit of his convictions was remarkable.
According to him, the late veteran lawyer and politician was not “your typical Nigerian politician that opportunistically changes his opinions to ingratiate himself with the new powers that be.”
According to the Turaki Adamawa, “These are extraordinary virtues for which I admire him deeply and regard him as a role model. May his soul rest in peace.”
Human rights lawyer, Festus Keyamo said, “Dr. Tunji Braithwaite was a true and thorough revolutionary. He used his revolutionary ideas to challenge the status quo and all anti-people policies of all regimes.”
“I came into close contact with him many times when we planned various protests in his house in Victoria Island. The last notable one was the fuel subsidy protest in January, 2013, which we co-coordinated from his residence.”
“Nigeria has lost a loud voice against oppression, against bad government and against the status quo.”
“Rest in Peace, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite.”
Former National Secretary of the Labour Party, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, also called Braithwaite a great and gifted lawyer, with rare technicalities.
Ajulo said: “I was privileged to have appeared against the senior lawyer at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.
“In spite of my fierce opposition during our arguments that went personal, after the court session, he extended a hand of fellowship to me.
“He offered words of advice and heartily commended me. He was a good man.
“Dr Tunji Braithwaite was a scion of the popular Braithwaite family. The family has contributed significantly to the socio-political, spiritual and economic development of Nigeria and Africa.
