Buhari, Fayemi Grieve over Death of Afenifere’s Spokesman, Yinka Odumakin

Ololade Adeyanju/

President Muhammadu Buhari and Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi have condoled with the family, friends and acquaintances of Yinka Odumakin, spokesman of Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere.

Odumakin was also spokesman to the then Gen Buhari in 2011, when he ran for President on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), now defunct.

Expressing sorrow at his demise in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Buhari described Odumakin as dutiful and “a person of conviction” who left when he had a lot more to contribute to society and the nation at large.

Buhari prayed that God should grant repose to the soul of the departed activist, and comfort all those who mourn him.

Fayemi described the news of Odumakin’s death as tragic and deeply devastating.

Odumakin, according to his family, passed on Saturday morning after battling with Covid-19 complications. He was 59.

Dr Fayemi in a statement says the Yoruba and indeed Nigeria have lost a truly patriotic citizen, a fearless activist who regularly spoke truth to power and a man of the people who championed the cause of his people till he breathed his last.

He described the death of the Afenifere spokesperson as a personal loss to him, having had a long standing working relationship with the deceased and his spouse, Dr Joe Odumakin since the period of struggle for democracy in the nineties.

Fayemi stated: “This is a very sad day. The Yoruba and indeed Nigeria have lost an illustrious son, a voice for the voiceless, a fearless and dogged fighter and a leader who loved and served his people passionately.

“For me, Yinka’s death is a personal loss. He was not just my comrade in the democratic struggle, he was a brother and friend. He was firm in his conviction, focused and progressive-minded. Even when we disagreed, he was never disagreeable.

“Our thought and prayers are with Joe, his widow, members of his immediate family, associates and the leadership of Afenifere, at this trying period. We pray that God grants him eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

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