President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Sunday evening led mourning for two-term serving Senator Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who died suddenly earlier in the day.

Bujari in a statement issued by his Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) Femi Adesina commiserated with the Osun State Government and members of the National Assembly on the passing away of Sen. Adeleke.

The statement said: “President Buhari sends his condolences to the family and friends of the gentle and kind hearted former Governor of Osun State who had passionately and relentlessly championed the cause of the less privileged and most vulnerable in Nigeria.

“The President believes the sudden loss of the legislator will create a gap in the hallowed red chamber as Adeleke had always epitomised unbridled patriotism, maturity and experience, especially with his recent interest in the protection of whistle blowers.

“President Buhari affirms that Adeleke’s contribution to his state, as first elected governor, and the country will always be remembered by posterity.

“He prays that the Almighty God will grant the soul of the departed eternal rest, and comfort the family.”

Saraki, on his part, described Adeleke’s death 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 eulogise 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, the Vice Chairman and members of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, the Senate, and indeed, the 8th National Assembly.

Saraki prayed to Almighty Allah to grant Adeleke a place among the righteous ones in

In his statement, Dogara described the sudden death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke as shocking and a huge loss to the country.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said he received with shock, the news of sudden death of Senator Adeleke and said the former Osun State Governor was a distinguished gentleman.

“Senator Adeleke was a leader who left giant footprints and lasting legacies as the first civilian governor of Osun State,” he stated.

Dogara also recalled that the late senator was credited for establishing tertiary educational institutions across Osun State when he was governor in the third republic, thereby laying the foundation for the development of the State.

“On behalf of all members of the House of Representatives, I condole with the Adeleke family, the Senate, government and people of Osun State over this big loss,” Dogara added.

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