Former Governor of Lagos State,
Bola Tinubu, said he received with shock, news of the death of Afenifere
spokesman, Yinka Odumakin.
Tinubu, in a statement on
Saturday, described the deceased as a committed fighter for democracy,
dedicated civil society activist, courageous and outspoken defender of whatever
ideals and principles he believed in.
The All Progressives Congress
(APC) leader said Odumakin remained fearless and unrelenting in speaking up in
promoting the cause of justice and what he perceived as the best interest of
the citizens of Nigeria.
Tinubu recalled his participation
in the various students and youth struggles against successive military
dictatorships in the 1980s and 1990s.
“In the process, he was arrested,
harassed and even detained several times. Yet, he never allowed himself to
succumb to tyranny or be pressured into submissive and pliant silence.
“In the struggle against the
annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election and the perpetuation of
military dictatorship, Odumakin was never found wanting. He was at the vanguard
of the battle even at the risk of his life and liberty.”
Tinubu said the late activist
never held public office, but was a constant feature and part of our public
consciousness over the last two decades of Nigeria’s unbroken democratic
dispensation.
“He epitomized the true
definition of the citizen; a patriot who was ever conscious of the fact that
his life could not be complete or his humanity meaningful if he did not take an
active interest in and join like minded fellow citizens in seeking always to
promote the common good of his community and country.”
Tinubu condoled with the family
and prayed that God will comfort and strengthen them as they take solace in the
massive outpouring of grief.
He expressed condolences to Chief
Ayo Adebanjo, the Afenifere leader, other leaders and members of the Yoruba
apex group as well as all Yinka’s associates in the civil society movement.
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