The Iyalode of Gbaguraland, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Chief (Mrs.) Aduni Bankole, has died hours away from the wedding of her daughter.

The colourful Lagos-based socialite died early this morning, according to journalist Gboyega Akosile, who wrote on his Facebook wall: “Iyalode of Gbagura, Chief Mrs. Aduni Bankole is dead! She died in the early hours of this morning, on her daughter’s wedding day. May the soul of mother of press men rest in peace, amen. Iyalode, you’d be sorely missed.”

A popular business woman in Lagos, step mother of ex-House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, the Iyalode was the stepmother of former House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Dimeji Bankole. Her husband, Chief Alani Bankole, was once national Chairman of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), one of the legacy parties of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Chief Alani, like his son Bankole, later became a chieftain of the of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The late Aduni has been largely off the radar since she suffered a heart attack in September 2011, a situation which saw her spending much time in hospitals

•Photo shows late Iyalode of Gbagura, Chief (Mrs.) Aduni Bankole.