From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Osun State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were conspicuously absent at the commendation service for the former state chairman and former zonal Vice Chairman of the party, the late Soji Adagunodo.
Adagunodo and the state government have not been on good terms before his death on 8th May at the age of 62.
The former Governor of the state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governorship aspirants, Dotun Babayemi and Dele Adeleke, former Secretary to the State Government under Oyinlola, Fatai Akinbade, family and friends of the deceased on Wednesday converged on Women and Children Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF), Osogbo, for the service.
Oyinlola described Adagunodo as a brother and comrade in his political journey throughout his days as governor, saying “he was more than a political associate to me.”
“Our late brother held many political positions and discharged the terms creditably in all. As a member of the state house of assembly, Soji was loyal to the party that elected him. He was faithful to the people he represented.
“He provided quality representation which he balanced well with loyalty to the government which I led at that time. In all political posts he held, you would see in Adagunodo brilliance in idea conception, diligence in pursuit of lofty goals, resilience in days of adversity, equanimity when confronted with setbacks, and moderation in victory.
“He was a complete gentleman, a good leader to his followers, and a good follower to his leaders. He was a model of uprightness. Soji’s death has robbed me in particular of a brother and a friend. He was a lieutenant whom I fought shoulder-to-shoulder in many political battles. He was brave and could be very stubborn. The traits are identified in every true Ijesa, man or woman. But he was very wise and knowledgeable in all to know when to fight and when to be reconciliatory. Such men are very rare to find in today’s Nigeria,” Oyinlola added.
A media aide to Governor Adeleke, Oladele Bamiji, explained that two local government party chairmen, Obokun and Oriade, were officially assigned to represent the party at the function.