President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan joins all Nigerians in mourning one of Nigeria’s most prominent political leaders, medical practitioner and democrat, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki who passed away in Lagos this morning.
Jonathan in statement issued by Reuben Abati Special Adviser to the President(Media & Publicity),extends sincere commiserations to the elder statesman’s family and the people of his home state, Kwara to whose service and upliftment he selflessly devoted his long and very successful career in politics.
He urges them to be consoled by the knowledge that their departed father, leader and mentor lived a very successful and fulfilled life, rising to national prominence by dint of hard work, uncommon generosity, political sagacity, dedication and wholesome commitment to the service of his people and the entire nation.
President Jonathan believes that the late Dr. Saraki will be long remembered and eulogized as a consummate politician, an astute grassroots mobiliser, and a political colossus with awe-inspiring powers of political organisation.
The President has no doubts that this public-spirited politician will always occupy a place of honour in the hearts of his people, supporters, friends and associates across the nation.
He believes that the ordinary people of Kwara in particular will always remember the “Oloye” with great affection because of the constant support they received from him.
The President further notes that Dr. Saraki’s brand of people-oriented politics and his success in building on his strong support base to contribute positively to Nigeria’s political development as a powerful voice in the nation’s dominant political parties, as the Senate Majority Leader in the Second Republic, and as the ultimate reference point in the politics of Kwara state for decades, have assured him of a place amongst Nigeria’s heroes of democracy.
President Jonathan urges Nigerians to emulate Dr Saraki’s patriotic commitment to national unity, politics without bitterness as well as his magnificent spirit of philanthropy.
He prays that God Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest.
In the same vein, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, publicity secretary of ACN, in a statement issued in Lagos,Wednesday, described Dr. Saraki as a colossus who possessed an efficient political machinery that he used effectively to rally the people.
Hear him:
“Dr. Saraki defined his era, and since his entry into politics several decades ago, politics has never been the same again, especially in his native Kwara state, where he became synonymous with the politics of the state.
“Any politician who ignored him in his lifetime did so at his own peril, and only the casualties of his deft political manoeuvring can appreciate his clinical political efficiency,” “The death of Dr. Saraki, coming a few days after the passing of another great politician, Lam Adesina, is a big loss to Nigeria, especially at a time the nation needs the wisdom and rich experience of its great sons and daughters to help steer it to less-turbulent waters.”
“The vacuum being created by the death of these political titans is a challenge to young politicians to strive hard to step into their shoes and work hard to make our country a proud member of the comity of nations.”
“Dr. Saraki has done his best in the service of his nation and in an uncommon devotion to ensuring better life for the ordinary people, we pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also comfort and strengthen his family to enable them bear their loss.”
Also, Senator David Dafinone joined several dignitaries across Nigeria to mourn the death of his colleague and friend, Senator Olusola Saraki.
In his condolence message to the family, Senator Dafinone described Saraki’s death as painful, especially at a time when the state (The Federal Republic of Nigeria) is in a state of flux.
Dafinone lauded Saraki’s great concern for the unity of Nigeria and the growth of democracy.
“Dr. Saraki as a medical doctor, international businessman, philanthropist and politician gained the respect, trust and love of the entire country and he will be greatly missed” he said.
Dafinone prayed Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the late second republic politician eternal rest and grant members of the family the strength to bear the loss.
