By Adesina Soyooye
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, two time Governor of Lagos State, and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Party, APC, on Easter Monday, surprised not a few people – especially, his political critics.
He rose above petty politics, and personally paid a condolence visit to Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, the widow of Yinka Odumakin, the late Spokesman of the apex Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere. Not many people expected him to.
Odumakin, who passed on Saturday, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, due to respiratory issues associated with COVID-19 complications, was a staunch, unsparing critic of Tinubu.
In deed, a few days before Odumakin’s passing, one of his most damning write-ups on Tinubu made the rounds.
It asked questions and put question marks on “everything Tinubu.” Yet…
Tinubu’s first surprise was on Easter Sunday, a day after Odumakin’s death when he paid the late Afenifere Spokesman an unputdownable tribute, describing him as a sincere man who put Nigeria first.
Tinubu added:
“He was at the vanguard of the battle (for the actualisation of June 12), even at the risk of his own life and liberty. It is impossible to credibly tell the story of the emergence of the democracy we enjoy today without emblazoning Odumakin’s name in gold.”
On Easter Monday, April 5, he followed up with a visit to Odumakin’s widow, Dr. Joe Okei- Odumakin.
In another development, the Afenifere, which Spokesman Odumakin was, has cancelled its monthly meeting, scheduled for Akure, Ondo state as a mark of respect for him.
This was contained in a statement by the group, signed by the Assistant General Secretary of the group, Mr. Adeleke Mabinuori.
Part of the statement reads: “I have been directed by the acting Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, to inform you that the Afenifere meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 6th April, 2021 is cancelled.
“This is in honour of the late Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr Yinka Odumakin. Please await further directives.”
Odumakin’s sudden passing should both the Human Rights and Political Communities in Nigeria.
