Bola Tinubu, the presidential flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has lost his friend, a renowned political scientist, and columnist, Prof Ayo Olukotun.
Tinubu described Olukotun’s demise as a sad loss in a statement through the head of his media team, Tunde Rahman.
According to Tinubu, his friend who died on Wednesday at the age of 69, contributed greatly to the development of Nigeria through his regular intervention in public discourse.
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The APC candidate added the late professor would be missed since Nigeria was in dire need of his deep knowledge and political experience.
Tinubu stated Olokunto’s death left a bitter taste in his mouth while describing him as an erudite scholar and fine columnist.
He added that the scholar only gave constructive analyses of public policies, issues, and developments while he provide ideas that can birth redemption.
Tinubu then prayed for God to be with his family. He also commiserated with his colleagues.
The statement read:
“The news of the passing, Wednesday, of erudite scholar and fine columnist, Prof. Ayo Olukotun, is shocking and saddening. Coming at the start of the new year, it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Prof. Olukotun made invaluable contributions to public discourse and helped shape public opinion and policy through his regular interventions via his newspaper columns.
“His deep, incisive and penetrating columns won him plaudits. Prof. Olukotun was a friend I first encountered as a writer and journalist before becoming a university don. His writings initially at the Daily Times, Guardian and in later days on the Back Page of The Punch every Friday was a go-to for me.
“On those pages, he not only gave constructive dissection of public policies, issues and developments but also offered ideas that can engender redemption.
“I commiserate with his family and pray that God Almighty comforts them over this unfortunate passing. I mourn with his colleagues in the academia and media profession. This death rankles all of us.
“My condolences must also go to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and the people of the state and of course to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona for the late scholar was the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance, Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun state.”
