Aregbesola orders probe into Adeleke’s death

OSUN State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, on Sunday, ordered an inquest into the sudden death of the first executive governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who died in the early hours of April 23

He said the decision to probe the death of the politician, who until his death, was the senator, representing Osun West senatorial district became imperative to set the record straight.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Aregbesola’s Director of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, which was made available to journalists in Osogbo, the state capital, on Sunday.

According to the statement, “We are still in shock and great pain over the transition of our friend, associate and brother, Adeleke.  He was a prominent son of our state and first democratically-elected governor. He was an astute politician and a generous man. He was gregarious, enthusiastic and full of life and zest. His death is, therefore, shocking and unexpected”.

It reads in part, “Osun State government had intended to give him a befitting state burial which he deserved and which the state had prepared to undertake. Regrettably, however, the enemies of the state, through brigandage, violence and evil machinations, created an atmosphere of fear and terror in the minds of our citizenry and friends throughout the federation.

“Immediately the news of his demise filtered in, a band of vagabonds, crying more than the bereaved, took to the streets, looting and wreaking havoc. Journalists were molested and their equipment damaged. Important dignitaries that came for the burial were equally molested by these thugs.

“Adeleke was a man of peace. He preached peace and lived it through his life. He left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because he could not stand violence.  It is a profound irony and most unfortunate therefore, that a few elements purporting to protest his death, desecrated his funeral with violence and attacks on innocent people.

“They dishonoured him and did his memory a great disservice by keeping his friends, political associates and well-wishers away from his burial.

“The best we could do in the circumstance was to declare three days of mourning throughout the state and fly national, state and our party’s flags at half-mast in his honour.

“In the light of this, Osun State government, using the instrumentality of the law, is setting up an inquest to unravel the circumstances of this unfortunate incident in order to put the record straight on his death.

“We continue to mourn the death of Adeleke. He is irreplaceable in our hearts.  We commiserate with his family, the good people of Ede, associates, friends and constituents on the passage of this patriot.”

Also, against the backdrop of the eight-day fidau for  Adeleke today, there were security presence in Ede,  on Sunday.

Tribune Online investigation indicated that there were policemen at Aisu end of the road leading to  his private residence, while some  men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were spotted at the main gate of NYSC permanent orientation camp in Ede.