The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, has commiserated with the state governor and the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Seyi Makinde over the death of the party’s Vice-Chairman in the state and senatorial chairman, Oyo South, Hon. Olugbade Ojelabi, who breathed his last in the early hours of Monday December 5, 2022.
Besides, the union also condoled with the 2023 Accord governorship candidate in the state and former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Adebayo Adelabu, over the sudden demise of Hon. Jacob Funmi Ogunmola, the 2023 candidate of Accord for Atisbo/Saki East/Saki West federal constituency.
The condolence messages were contained in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of NUJ in the state, Comrade Ademola Babalola, and secretary, Olusola Oladapo, released on Monday.
The union also commiserated with the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Right Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; the Oyo South senatorial candidate of the PDP, Chief Joseph Tegbe, as well as the 2023 Accord candidate for Oyo North senatorial candidate, Hon. Shina Peller over the demise of the duo of Ojelabi and Ogunmola.
The union also condoled with the leadership and the entire membership of PDP and Accord in the state, as well as all politicians in the state, without leaving the bereaved families behind.
The NUJ, during the recently held year 2022 Press Week, conferred on Ogunmola, an ‘Outstanding Community Service Award for his various supports to the people of his constituency.
According to the statement, “It was saddening and shocking to hear about the death of Hon Olugbade Ojelabi and Hon Jacob Funmi Ogunmola. They were astute and thoroughbred politicians and grassroots mobilisers that knew their onions when they were alive.
“The deaths of the two of them came at a time when their rare experiences in politics and administration are more needed to advance the cause of politics in the pace setter state.
“As NUJ, we are friends to all political parties and their candidates. We are playing neutral and agenda setting roles among all political parties and politicians. Therefore, we see the death of Hon Ojelabi and Hon Ogunmola, as great losses to the entire grassroots politicians in this state, and not PDP and Accord alone. They were rare gems and they would be sorely missed.
“It is our prayer that Almighty God will give their families the fortitude to bear their irreplaceable losses.”
