The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; PDP National Secretariat, Chiefs in the Iyalode Olubadan Line and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) paid condolence visits to governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde over the death of his eldest brother, Engineer Sunday Makinde.
Other groups, who visited the governor included the Omo Ajorosun Club, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Oyo State chapter; the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State chapter.
Chairman of the Forum and governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, led his counterparts from Rivers State, who is also the Vice Chairman of the PDPGF, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the governor of Osun State, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke, to the Ikolaba residence of Governor Makinde on Wednesday.
They condoled with Governor Makinde and his family, praying to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
Earlier, Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, had paid a condolence visit to the governor.
The governors maintained that though Governor Makinde is a strong character, they decided to visit him to show solidarity with him at a trying period as this.
Governor Mohammed said: “We are here on behalf of the PDP Governors’ Forum to commiserate with you over the loss of your senior brother. Though we have spoken on the phone, we have to come to see you directly to show solidarity.
“We know this loss is huge and we know you to be a strong character. We know we are all here temporarily and would all go back to our creator.
“You should be consoled that this man came and contributed his own quota to the growth and development of Nigeria, which has even been testified to by your emergence as a governor.
“You have personally worked hard without going through the problem of godfatherism and you have become an indefatigable governor, who is in the PDP and has been doing very well.
“So, on behalf of my colleagues, we condole with you and the family and we pray that God will grant you the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
In his response, Governor Makinde admitted that though God is unquestionable, his brother’s death occurred when he was about to settle down to enjoy life.
Governor Makinde, on behalf of the family and people of Oyo State, appreciated the PDP Governors’ Forum for their thoughtfulness in coming to commiserate with his family.
He said: “I want to, on behalf of the entire Makinde family, thank you for this visit. Thank you all for identifying with us at this very hour of need.
“We thought our eldest brother was just about to start life, because he was just 65. We thought after going all over the world, this is the time for him to settle down, but we cannot question God. We have to accept what has happened, because God giveth and taketh without needing any form of validation from anybody.
“It is also painful for us because it was quite sudden. This visit means a lot to us, especially the presence of my brother, Governor Sim Fubara, because we have been on different sides of the spectrum politically. But politics was put aside.
“I want to also, on behalf of the people and government of Oyo State, say thank you for the visit. Our prayer is that we won’t use this kind of visit as a payback.
“We pray that in our various families, people will grow old before they are called to the world beyond. So, thank you.”
PDP leaders in attendance included the Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Chief Mrs Mutiat Ladoja, and the PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), Chief Ali Odefa.
Similarly, former governor of Osun State, Prince Oyinlola and the staff of the PDP National Secretariat led by the National Director of Administration, Engr. Gurama Bawa, paid a condolence visit to the governor, praying to God to grant him and the Makinde family the fortitude to bear the loss of his brother.
In a related development, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Oyo State chapter, led by its president-elect, Sir Okechukwu Umeh, and the Ibadan Ajorosun Club leadership also commiserated with the governor.
Also on Wednesday, the leadership of NULGE, the Nigeria Union of Teachers and the NUP, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour, Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo; NULGE president, Comrade Ayobami Adeogun; NUP Secretary, Comrade Segun Abatan and the NUT Chairman, Comrade Oladimeji Raji, paid a visit to express their condolences to the governor.
