Following the death of Senator Adebayo Sikiru Osinowo, representing Lagos East in the National Assembly, the national leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, amongst others, have described his demise as “rude shock.”
The tragedy occurred on Monday as Senator Osinowo, died at 64.
Osinowo is popularly known as (Pepperito), an APC, stalwart and lawmaker, was a former member of Lagos State House of Assembly for 16 years.
Osinowo succeeded two-term Senator Gbenga Ashafa at the Senate.
However, Osinowo, who was said to have died of COVID-19 complications, there were conflicting reports to the actual cause of his death.
A report said he died after a brief illness at a hospital in Lagos.
According to a report, he had been at the special intensive unit of Lagos cardiologist centre, Ikoyi, on COVID-19 treatment.
READ ALSO:Â Just In: Lagos Senator Bayo Osinowo is dead
Another report had it that three days earlier, he was taking in at the Yaba Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) before his death on Monday, June 15th.
A horde of sympathisers, following the announcement of the death stormed the deceased’s Ogudu Estate residence in Kosofe Local Government Area, to express their grief and condolences to the family but met a shut gate.
His family members have all been evacuated to his Ijebu-Ode, home town, Ogun State and Lagos residence under lock and key towards preparation for burial, according to a source.
Osinowo’s death deeply hurts, Says Tinubu
The National leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has lamented the death of Senator Osinowo, saying it deeply hurts.
In his condolence message, Tinubu, who described the death as sudden and unexpected, stated, “The passing of Senator Bayo Osinowo has deeply hurt me and Lagosians. He was more than a close friend and political associate.
“Over the years he became like a family member and brother in so many ways.
Bayo and I have come a long way, dating back to our days in the pro-democracy struggles.
“We both enlisted in the Social Democratic Party where he served so well as the Youth Chairman of that party during the Third Republic and later in the Alliance for Democracy in 1998 after the restoration of democracy. Bayo’s contributions to the return of democracy were significant and enduring.
“As a prominent political figure in Lagos, he served our state with dedication, passion and concern for the common man. In the Lagos State House of Assembly, where he was a four-time member from 2003 to 2019 representing Kosofe Constituency 1, he was more than a member of that House.
“He provided leadership. He was a stabilising figure. He worked hard and tirelessly to make Lagos a better place. He cared for all Lagosians.
“His election in 2019 to represent Lagos East in the Senate demonstrated not only his immense political skills but also the affection the people have for him and his popularity. Thus far in the National Assembly, he discharged himself creditably as Chairman Senate Committee on Industries.
“Like the committee, he headed, Bayo was extremely industrious. Bayo was not born with riches. He rose from a modest background to the great heights that he attained.
“His death hurt all who know him. Bayo was more than an excellent politician. As great a politician he was, Bayo was an even better person.
“He was a man of a kind heart and ready smile. His loyalty and enthusiasm was legendary, just as his generosity. People loved him. So many tears have been shed. However, we must summon the strength to carry on as he would want us to do.
READ ALSO:Â Biography of late senator Adebayo Osinowo (Pepperito)
“My thoughts are with his immediate family. May Almighty Allah comfort and give them the solace that only He can provide. May Almighty Allah grant him eternal rest and admit him to Aljanna Firdaus.”
Osinowo’s death, painful, a reminder that the battle against ravaging COVID-19 pandemic is far from being won – Sanwo-Olu
Also, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed sadness over the sudden death of Senator Osinowo.
Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile described Senator Osinowo’s death as a rude shock, coming at a time when the state and indeed the entire nation had just started benefiting from his wealth of political and administrative experience.
