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A former presidential candidate and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has described the deaths of former speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, and former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, as a huge loss to Nigeria’s politics and democracy.
In a statement released by his Media Office in Abuja, yesterday, Olawepo-Hashim explained that the duo were political giants who bestrode the nation’s political landscape.
He noted that the former speaker was a patriot, selfless politician, and true democrat who sacrificed his ambition by repelling dictatorship and instituting the independence of the Legislature, and added that “Na’Abba was inspiringly principled, courageous and a deeply patriotic Nigerian who was completely detribilised, tolerant, liberal, gentle and affectionate.”
According to Olawepo-Hashim, Nigeria and Nigerians will surely miss this great Nigerian and a selfless politician whose effort to sustain democracy and good governance in the country remains indelible.
On Akeredolu, Olawepo-Hashim stressed that the former Governor of Ondo state contributed immensely in the struggle to uphold the rule of law in Nigeria through his legal practice and as President of the NBA, before venturing into partisan politics.
He noted that the former Ondo State governor was a believer in the principles of true federalism and his death would remain as a great loss to the nation .
“Both men I knew closely. With Na’Abba, we were in the “class of 1999″ together as I was active in the National Executive Committee of the ruling party both as a national officer and as founding Chairman of the Group of 54 NEC members when the late Na’Abba succeeded Salisu Buhari as speaker.
“In 2019, when I contested for president, Na’Abba , with Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), co-chaired my campaign council. I shared the deep hope of full recovery with him as he struggled to survive the illness that took him at my last visit with him,” Olawepo-Hashim said.
The frontline politician prayed that God would grant the families and the loved ones of these two great Nigerians the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
