Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke [1955 - 2017]

The death on Sunday, April 24, 2017 Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke aka Serubawon was another big blow to politics and societal leadership not only in his native Osun State but in Nigeria as a whole. Adeleke, who was senator representing Osun West, died in a hospital in Osogbo at the age of 62. His death came as a rude shock to many because he was seen at political meetings and social functions barely 24 hours before his demise. The people of Ede particularly felt his loss because he was a community champion. Adeleke’s sudden death resulted in violent protests by youths, who barricaded the Osogbo-Ibadan road and disrupted the free flow of traffic. The mob also attacked Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s special assistant and it took the intervention of Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun to rescue her. It is understandable for people to be saddened by the death of a political leader but resorting to violence is not the way to go. If at all there is suspicion of foul play in the death, the right thing to do is to call for an autopsy. We commend the family of the deceased for acting swiftly by delaying the Muslim burial for Adeleke so that an autopsy could be conducted. It was the right thing to do as preliminary results helped in calming frayed nerves. We also commend the Osun State government for setting up an inquest into the death, as that will help in putting to rest all speculations surrounding it. Adeleke was indeed a man of the people, as witnessed by the turnout of people at the funeral, most of whom were the ordinary Nigerians. We join in mourning the death of the seasoned lawmaker while commiserating with his family, the Senate, and the government and people of Osun State. Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke was born in Enugu on 15 January 1955. He had his Primary Education at Christ Church School, Enugu before his family moved to Ibadan. He completed his secondary school at Ogbomosho Grammar School, where he had his West Africa School Certificate in 1972. He then proceeded to the Jacksonville State University, USA where he bagged a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1983. In 1985, he obtained his Masters in Public Administration from the same Institution. During the Third Republic, Adeleke was elected governor of the newly created Osun State under the banner of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, at the age of 37. During his tenure, he established a polytechnic at Iree, a college of technology at Esa-Oke and ensured the completion of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation. Adeleke was also Chairman, Governing Council, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, ProChancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Calabar. He was also a Director of Pacific Merchant Bank and Chairman of Tadel Investment Limited. In 2007, Adeleke contested for Osun West Senatorial district seat under the platform the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and won. He lost in the 2011 elections but in 2015, he again contested for the same seat under the Platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and won. He was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market. Alhaji Isiaka also had plans to contest for the governorship of the state in 2019. He also bagged the National award of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON. President Muhammadu Buhari, while commiserating with the family and people of Osun State, described the deceased as a seasoned legislator. His colleagues at the Senate, Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy Senator Ike Ekweremadu described him as an important figure in the 8th Senate. His death is indeed a great loss to the Senate, Osun State and Nigeria. May Allah grant Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke eternal rest in Aljannat.