…Buhari, Tinubu, govs, others pay tributes

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Yoruba nation over the passing of the founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasehun.

The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, also condoled with the family of the medical practitioner and the government and people of Ondo State.

He recalled the prominent role Dr Fasehun played as a member of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which campaigned against military rule in the country.

The President prayed that Almighty God comforts all those who mourn the octogenarian and grant peace to his soul.

All Progressives Congress (APC) national stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu described the late Fasehun as a renowned pro-democracy and good governance activist, committed democrat, tested political player and Yoruba nationalist who left behind fine legacies.

He charged the Fasehun family and other associates of the late leader not to allow his legacies to die.

Tinubu, in his reaction to the death of the Afenifere chieftain in a statement by his spokesman Tunde Rahman, said: “Dr. Fredrick Fasehun was a renowned pro-democracy and good governance activist, committed democrat, tested political player and Yoruba nationalist. I say all of that because I knew him well. We related very closely.

“He was known for his Yoruba nationalistic fervor. Like an Afenifere chieftain that he was, he fought stridently for the Yoruba cause.

“He canvassed true federalism and political restructuring. He fought as well for the cause of the Nigerian nation.

“The good thing about Baba is there was never a time that he sat on the fence.

“Although trained as a medical doctor, he was very active politically. We were together in the forefront of the agitation for the de-annulment of June 12.

“He founded the Oodua Peoples Congress to actualise June 12 but espoused non-violence.

“Nonetheless, he remained a torn in the flesh of the military. It was therefore no surprise that Dr. Fasehun was imprisoned for 19 months from December 1996 to June 1998 by the General Sani Abacha regime.

“And when democracy fully returned to the country he participated actively.

“He was an extremely humble and modest man. I will miss him dearly. The Southwest, particularly Lagos and Ondo states, will miss him. Nigeria will miss him also.

“I commiserate with the government and people of Ondo State. My sympathy and condolences particularly go to the Fasehun family at this moment.

“I hope and pray that God Almighty imbue them with the courage and strength to carry on. I enjoin them to continue with the fine legacies left behind by Baba.”

Ondo State governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu praised the late Fasehun as a disciplined citizen, a Pan-Yoruba and nationalist to the core.

He said the intelligent medical practitioner used his energy and other resources to fight for the interests of his people and the common man.

He described as a shock to Ondo State and the entire country, adding that the deceased would be sorely missed by lovers of justice and peace.

Akeredolu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, said the late Fasehun’s argument for egalitarian society where merit and equity are made parametric conditions for selecting leaders or people’s representatives would continue to dominate socio-political discourse.

The governor said social scientists would also remember the deceased as a detribalised Nigeria per excellence whose place in the nation’s political history cannot be wished away, even in a hurry.

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II lamented the death of the late OPC chief.

In a statement by his Director of Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, the Ooni, who is the Spritual Head of the Yoruba race, commiserated with the people and government Ondo state and Yoruba nation.

He said: “Baba Ooni sees Dr. Faseun a true Pan Africanist, a fearless Nigerian nationalist and committed Yoruba patriot, who as an Oodua Self-Determinationist spent the last 26 years of life struggling for the survival of the Yoruba people within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

“It’s a pity we have lost such a  wonderful descendant of Oduduwa, who always defended and promoted the interests, integrity and the cultural values of the African People, Yoruba race in particular.

“The Royal Court of Ife will never forget Dr Fasheun for his incorruptible loyalty to the sacred throne of Oduduwa.

“The good people of Ile-Ife which is the ancestral home of the Yorubas will miss him for the love and respect he ceaselessly showed on us.

“The Yoruba people all over the world will miss him for his committed struggle for the socio-political/economic survival of the race and Nigerians will miss him for his fights for fairless and justice as a Nigerian human right activist.”

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, in a statement by his media aide, Alli Ibrahim, said the late OPC leader had spent his entire life defending the interest of the Yoruba and Nigeria and therefore deserved to be immortalized.

The royal father said Nigeria has lost an illustrious citizen whose  experience in peace process and nation building is most needed at “this critical of our national life.”

He enjoined governors of the South West to declare mourning period for the loss, which he described as colossal.

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief (Dr) Gani Adams described the death of Fasehun as a great loss to the Yoruba race.

Adams also said the death was a great loss to Nigeria and the world at large, pointing out that Faseun left behind a worthy legacy.

Adams, in a condolence letter, pointed out he received the news of the death with shock and disbelief.

The Aare Ona Kakanfo added the deceased in his life time made outstanding contributions to the progress of the nation in many capacities, and no doubt left behind a worthy legacy through his careers as a renowned medical doctors and politician among other achievements.

“Baba deserves all respect because he acquitted himself so diligently, and will also be remembered as a distinguished leader in all ramifications, and one that was greatly admired by the general public and his peers as a straight forward and complete gentleman.

“He demonstrated wisdom, honesty and good leadership, established friendship, harmony and accommodation across board.

“He was as a community leader and a prominent patriot, which was no doubt a testimony to be reference to.

“Baba exhibited very good leadership qualities, wisdom and wealth of experience which indeed he put to use in the discharge of his responsibility as well as upholding the institution’s tradition of excellence while alive,” said Adams.

Chairman of Senate Committee on Local Content Solomon Adeola praised Fasehun for contributing immensely to human and democratic rights in Nigeria.

In a statement by his Media Adviser Kayode Odunaro, Adeola said: “My senatorial district has lost a prominent Nigerian who stood for truth and fought the rights of his people in Nigerian federation.

“His role in the fight to enthrone democracy against military rule in Nigeria remains indelible in history.”