President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Governors of Oyo and Lagos States Seyi Makinde and Babajide Sanwo-Olu and former Ogun State Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel, led other prominent Nigerians to mourn the death of Afenifere spokesman Yinka Odumakin.
They condoled with family, friends and acquaintances of Mr Yinka Odumakin, Spokesman of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, over the passing away of the activist.
Odumakin was also Buhari’s spokesman when he ran for president on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
In a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Saturday, the president described Odumakin as dutiful, and a person of conviction.
He expressed sorrow at his demise, especially at a time when he had a lot more to contribute to the society and the nation at large.
Buhari prayed God to grant repose to the soul of the departed activist and comfort all those mourning him.
Obasanjo in his stead described Odumakin as a forthright advocate and a disciplined and detribalized Nigerian.
Obasanjo stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the National Leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo in his Lagos home.
The former President said Yorubaland and indeed Nigeria would miss the contribution of Odumakin at this time when every hand need to be on deck.
He prayed for the repose of the late Odumakin, and prayed to God to grant the widow and immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Former Governor of Ofun State Otunba Gbenga Daniel described Odumakin as a great comrade, and a good companion.
Daniel also commiserated with Afenifere and the Odumakin’s widow.
In the condolence letter which he personally signed on Saturday, Otunba Daniel described the death of Odumakin as “a dark moment that elclipsed one of the vocal voices of the Yoruba Nation and of social, cultural and political activism in our country Nigeria.
“Yinka lived a good life, and for a great cause and purposes. His memory is well preserved because he stood firmly for all that he believed in. Such men never die.”
Otunba Daniel expressed his deepest condolences to both the wife and leadership of Afenifere, while praying that God should grant his soul great repose and to grant the family the fortitude to bear the very painful loss.
Governor Seyi Makinde described Odumakin death as a personal loss.
“I lost a good brother and Yorubaland has lost a true fighter,” Makinde said.
Makinde, who stated that the news of Odumakin’s passage came as a rude shock that has left him in a sad mood, commiserated with Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, wife of the late Afenifere chieftain, the Odumakin family, members of Afenifere and the entire Yoruba nation.
He described the late Afenifere spokesman as a true Yoruba son, who embodied the ethos of Omoluabi, a dogged and true fighter of the Yoruba cause and an advocate of good governance.
The governor said: “Words failed me when I received the news of the death of a wonderful brother and friend, a true Yoruba son and a true fighter of the cause of our nation, Yinka Odumakin.
“This is a personal loss to me, a huge loss to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria, because Odumakin, apart from being a true Yoruba son and an embodiment of the Omoluabi ethos, is an advocate of good governance and true federalism.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the late human rights and pro-democracy activist, as a great nationalist, passionate leader and champion of a true Nigeria that would work for every citizen.
He said the Afenifere spokesman lived a selfless life, adding that Yinka Odumakin will not be forgotten in a hurry.
“It is with deep sense of sorrow but with a heart full of gratitude to God for a good life spent by the late Yinka Odumakin that I write to commiserate with the family, friends and associates of the late Yinka Odumakin.
“Odumakin was undoubtedly a great nationalist, passionate leader and champion of a true Nigeria that would work for every citizen.
“Odumakin as civil rights activist was selfless. He spent the greater part of his life in the service of humanity, particularly the emancipation of the Yoruba people, the development of the South West region in particular and the nation in general.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also stated that Odumakin “stood firmly behind the attainment of constitutional democracy and fiscal federalism as the basis for sustainable development and lifting the masses out of poverty.”
“As spokesman for the Afenifere, Odumakin made his mark and became a reference point as major voice for the development of the Yoruba race. He will surely be missed.
I personally followed the late Odumakin and found his principled position and capacity to speak truth to power as crucial for Nigeria’s political and economic development.”
The Governor also condoled with wife of the deceased, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Afenifere and the entire Yoruba race over the death of the civil rights activist.
“On behalf of my family and the good people of Lagos State, I hereby express my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, particularly his wife, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, the Afenifere and the entire Yoruba race over the loss of Yinka Odumakin.
“May God grant his departed soul eternal rest and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed.