President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, on Wednesday described the late Olusola Saraki as “a political colossus”.
Saraki died in Lagos in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 79.
In their condolences, the trio extolled Saraki’s leadership qualities and commitment to nation building.
Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the late medical doctor was a “consummate politician, an astute grass roots mobiliser, and a political colossus with awe-inspiring powers of political organisation”.
The statement said, “President Jonathan extends sincere commiserations to the elder statesman’s family and the people of his home state, Kwara, to whose service and development he selflessly devoted his long and very successful career in politics.”
In his tribute, Mark said Saraki was a political giant and a shining star of Nigerian politics.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan, quoted Mark as saying Saraki was a “political icon, tactician and political engineer” who navigated the political environment like a colossus”.
He said, “Saraki was a political leader who stood to be counted when it mattered. He stood on the side of the people and worked assiduously for the liberation of the down trodden. He was a leader who lived and worked for others.”
Tambuwal recalled that in the Second Republic, Saraki did not only help form the National Party of Nigeria but also supported the growth of parliamentary democracy as Leader of the Senate.
He said, “Saraki will be best remembered for his pioneering role in the formation of leading political parties in the country, especially during the Second Republic which led to the establishment of the then NPN.”
Also, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, regretted that the country had lost the services of “a democrat”.
Ekweremadu said in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media) Uche Anichukwu, the late politician was “a people-centred leader”.
Ihedioha said Saraki was “a nationalist, a compassionate personality, and a celebrated achiever”.
(Punch)
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President Jonathan would kiss any ass and turn blind eye instead of going after all the pplw that matter in his running for 2015.i hope we can have another party/respected contestant against him
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