Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday expressed sadness over the death of the first civilian governor of Osun, Sen. Isiaka Adeleke.

Ambode, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, said Adeleke’s death was a huge loss to the entire South-West zone and the Yoruba race.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Senator Adeleke died in Osun on Sunday at the age of 62.

“I was deeply shocked to learn of his death. Only last month, he was in Lagos to join us celebrate our Party Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“He made his mark first as the first civilian governor of Osun and then as a Senator; he was one of the most prominent lawmakers who did not shy away from issues that affected Nigerians in general.

“He was very passionate about Nigeria’s progress and contributed immensely to the expansion of progressive politics, especially in the South-West”.

Ambode described Adeleke as a loving man, a peace maker, a grassroots politician and a detribalised Nigerian who was well loved by his people.

The governor prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and urged his family to draw strength from the fact that he made meaningful impact during his life time.

Ambode also commiserated with the people of Osun, especially the people of Osun West Senatorial Zone and the State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, over the irreparable loss.

“On behalf of my family and the good people of Lagos State, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, the people of South-West Nigeria and Nigerians in general on this great and irreparable loss.

“He will be sorely missed,” he said.

Late Adeleke was a three-term Senator representing Osun West Senatorial district having won the election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2015.

Adeleke died Sunday at Bikets Hospital in Osogbo, the Osun state capital, after a heart attack according to family sources.

Adeleke, the first civilian governor of Osun state dumped the Peoples Democratic Party in 2014.

While leading his supporters to defect to APC, Adeleke he and his followers were no longer safe in the party after an alleged assault on him by the then Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, and candidate of the PDP, Iyiola Omisore‎,.

The former governor claimed he was called upon by the leaders of the PDP to contest the governorship seat in Osun having realised that Omisore stood no chance against the incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola, but he later betrayed and hounded.

“I was asked to come and vie for governorship that Omisore is not capable, I accepted, but a day to the congress I got to the hotel in Osogbo.

“The people I sent there were on the floor with guns pointed at their heads and I told the police that they were members of our party‎ from Ede.

“I then moved towards the room where I met Sogo Agboola, Jelili Adesiyan, Iyiola Omisore, Gani Olaoluwa and others.

“As I was about explaining what happened outside to the minister, he descended on me with blows. So also was Omisore and others.

“They are a party breeding thugs. How can a whole minister of the Federal Republic be boxing?

“I have nothing against PDP, but I don’t see myself working for a criminal. I can’t support a violent person to go to the Government House.”