Minister of youth and sports development, Sunday Dare, yesterday led other to receive Bola Tinubu, national leader and presidential hopeful on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who was in Ogbomoso on condolence visits to Soun and Alao-Akala families over the death of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi and former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.
Tinubu landed at 12 noon inside the Ogbomoso Grammar School.
He was received by Dare as his helicopter landed at the grounds of the school.
Other top APC leaders present included the party caretaker chairman, Akin Oke, Pa Olorode— the zonal leader; Ayo Adeseun, Bashir Akanbi, Akeem Adeyemi, Bimbo Kolade, Abu Gbadamosi amongst other prominent leaders.
The APC leader expressed deep sadness on the passing of the monarch and Alao-Akala in what he described as a colossal loss to Yorubaland.
Tinubu, accompanied by Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, governor of Kwara state, and other dignitaries was led in a convoy of 14 cars to the palace of the late monarch where he was immediately ushered in by Dare and Prince Kunle Oyewumi.
Just before Tinubu spoke, Dare welcomed him to the land of Ogbomoso in a special way, thanking Tinubu for finding time to pay the condolence visit.
He also introduced the APC leaders present who were on hand to receive him.
Asiwaju Tinubu spoke thereafter, consoling and praying for the family over their loss.
“This is certainly a painful loss to the entire yourubaland but we must take heart and be strong. I enjoyed a good relationship with the Soun of Ogbomoso. He was not one of those who came to the throne because of money. He was already a wealthy man. He brought commitment, development and progress to the land of Ogbomoso. I pray that the next king will continue in like manner”. Tinubu said.
Next stop was the home of late Alao-Akala where a large crowd was waiting. Tinubu was ushered in as he met with the wives, family and relatives of the deceased.
Tinubu said, “Governor Alao-Akala’s death is quite painful to me. He was a partner in progress and a political associate whose political values resonated with the plans for growth and development I have for the Southwest”.
