Olatunji: One Death Too Many In APC

“The demise of Olufunmi Rafiu Olatunji, Council Chairman of Eti Osa LCDA brings the total number of deaths of Council bosses In Lagos APC to four within one year”

By Akinwale Kasali

He was preparing to be re-elected as the Council Chairman of Eti Osa Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, having won the All Progresssives Congress, APC, primary of May 29th, 2021.

Sadly, less than 18 days to the State Chairmanship Election in the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the State, he died.

He was said to have passed on after a brief illness.

With a teary look and his mood enveloped in sadness, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, expressed how devastated he was over the sudden death of Hon. Olatunji, describing him as an extremely loyal politician and an invaluable asset to the All Progressives Council (APC).

He said the deceased lived a fulfilled life and impacted on lives through selfless service to his family, people of Eti-Osa East LCDA, Lagos State and humanity at large.

In a condolence message issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, the Governor said Olatunji’s demise was a big loss to the Council and the State.

“The death of Hon. Olufunmi Olatunji is a painful and great loss to Lagos State. I am saddened by the death of this fine gentleman; a loyal party man and committed democrat.

“There is no doubting the fact that he would be missed by the entire political class, particularly Eti-Osa East LCDA, Lagos APC family and the state as a whole,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu also condoled with the immediate family of the departed, the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Lagos APC, Conference 57 and the entire people of Eti-Osa East LCDA over the death of the late council boss.

He also prayed that God would grant ”the soul of our beloved Hon. Olufunmi Olatunji eternal rest and comfort the immediate and political family of the deceased as well as friends and people of Eti-Osa East LCDA.

In less than 10 months, the APC have seen four sitting  Chairmen die in the saddle as Council bosses.

First was Kenny Ogunmuyide, the former Chairman of Oke Odo Local Council Development Area carved out of Alimosho Local Government, who lost the battle to death after a brief illness.

He was replaced by his Vice, Augustine Adeoye Arogundade, who took over the affairs of the LCDA, and was also re-elected after finishing the term of his late boss.

Sadly, as fate played its role, Arogundade also died in the saddle as his boss.

The late Arogundade was said to be sick for some few weeks, leading to his demise.

The Secretary of the Local Council Development Area, Tawakalitu Abiodun Ayilara took over, but died few days in office.

Their death sent fears into the spines of others who were aspiring for the Council top seat, forcing the Council Executives to go spiritual to forestall any sad occurrence.

In Onigbongbo LCDA, the Council Boss, Babatunde Oke, also died in office.

He was said to have died of Covid-19, which has been debunked by family members, who said he died after a brief illness.

The Lagos State APC Chapter are still mourning the demise of Oke, when the death of Olatunji struck, putting the Party in confusion and dilemma.

It would be recalled that last year the APC lost other Party Stalwart which includes; Senator Gbenga Osinowo, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Munir Muse, Hon. Tunde Buraimoh of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Rev. Timothy Oyasodun.