Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has described the death of the Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki, as “the end of an era of one of Nigeria’s political legends.”
Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said Saraki bestrode the political terrain of Kwara State and the North Central like a colossus during his lifetime.
He lamented that Saraki’s death came at a time when the polity was yet to recover from the shock of the demise of former Oyo State Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina, who died on Sunday.
The Governor noted that Saraki touched the lives of many people in his lifetime through his philanthropy and generosity from which indigent people benefited.
According to him, Saraki has always provided leadership and direction to his political disciples in critical times, adding that his counsel will be sorely missed.
Fayemi explained that Saraki never believed in violence in his political activities and used persuasion in spreading his political ideology.
He said although Saraki was a Muslim, he touched the lives of Christians, Muslims and adherents of traditional religion alike without discriminating against anybody.
Fayemi said, “Despite being a Muslim, Dr. Saraki had a Christian wife and never stopped her from practising her religion because he believed that religion should be an instrument of unity rather than division.
“It is also on record that Dr. Saraki used to sponsor Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem and Muslim pilgrims to Mecca annually throughout his lifetime.
“This great man positively contributed to the development of his community and country as a medical doctor, businessman, politician, philanthropist and an elder statesman. Our condolences go to the immediate family, the government and the good people of Kwara State and we pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear this huge loss.”, Fayemi said.
Last modified: November 14, 2012