…mourns late Ogun PDP financier
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says the demise of Senator Buruji Kashamu has demonstrated that death is inevitable for every mortal.
But in apparent reference to a statement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the late financier of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Tinubu enjoined everyone to, therefore, be kind to the dead.
Kashamu, who was a former senator, died of COVID-19 complications at a Lagos hospital on Saturday.
Tinubu, in a statement on Sunday, expressed shock and sadness over the sudden death of Kashamu, whom he described as “a notable leader in the country and a true grassroots politician.”
He said the late politician worked actively to advance the political and economic fortunes of Ogun State, adding that he admired Kashamu’s doggedness despite the fact that they were never in the same political party.
Tinubu said Kashamu’s death had added to the “grotesque list” of important personalities that have lost their lives to COVID-19 in recent times.
The APC chieftain said, “He fought for his convictions, for the people of Ogun State and for his country.
“Senator Kashamu was also a good party man. He was unwavering in his support for his party, PDP, through all the twists and turns of his political life. His passing is a big loss to the larger political family in Nigeria.
“He worked assiduously to advance the political and economic fortunes of his state. Kashamu represented, with merit, Ogun East in the 8th National Assembly and worked well for his constituents. He was a kind and generous man, a philanthropist in his own right and an astute businessman.
“I admire his political doggedness and sagacity, and his steadfastness in pursuing whatever he believed in, though we were never in the same political party.
“Again, Kashamu’s sudden death has demonstrated the transience of human life and rekindles the fact that death is inevitable for every mortal. As such, it behoves on us to be kind to the dead.”
Tinubu also urged Nigerians to continue to take protective measures as the economy reopens and as they return to “a new normal in our lifestyles.
“I mourn with his family, particularly his wives, children and grandchildren. May Almighty Allah lay His hands of protection on them at this moment.”
He also condoled with the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the people of the state.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had in a condolence letter on Saturday, said Kashamu’s life is a lesson for all because in his lifetime he used “the manoeuvre of law and politics to escape justice on alleged criminal offence in Nigeria and outside Nigeria”, but that he could not evade death.
But former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, deplored Obasanjo’s letter, saying it was regrettable that the former president could say that about the deceased.