Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has paid tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Awujale of Ijebu Ode, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (Ogbagba II), describing them as unrepentant proponents of peace, stability, and unity.
In a statement by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Leader of the Senate, on Monday, Bamidele reflected on how Buhari and Oba Adetona patriotically served their fatherland, states, and communities before their passing at the ages of 82 and 91, respectively.
He noted that their deaths were a significant loss not only to their families, communities, and states but also to Nigeria, West Africa, Africa at large, and the global black community, which they served in various capacities until Sunday, 13th July 2025.
Reflecting on Buhari’s service as a Military Head of State from January 1984 to August 1985, Bamidele said the late Nigerian Leader embodied discipline and self-control, leading with personal integrity. “He worked to rid the country’s public service of all forms of malfeasance and set our fatherland on the track of justice and rectitude,” he said.
On Buhari’s role in the Fourth Republic, Bamidele recalled how he aligned with the people, joined forces with progressives across the Niger, and opposed the conservatives under whose leadership Nigeria witnessed economic setbacks and institutional decay.
He acknowledged Buhari’s relentless pursuit of a graft-free Nigeria, highlighting his presidential bids on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, his role in forming the Congress for Progressive Change, and his eventual alliance with other progressives to establish the All Progressives Congress, which propelled them to national prominence in 2015.
Bamidele extended his condolences to the late President’s wife, Aisha Buhari; his children; the traditional leaders of the Daura Emirate; the government and people of Katsina State; and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
On behalf of the Senate and its South-West Caucus, Bamidele also condoled with the Anikilaya Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode, the people of Ijebu Kingdom, and the government and people of Ogun State over the death of the revered monarch.
He described the late Oba Adetona as a natural promoter of peace and stability, whose reign from January 1960 to July 2025 witnessed significant growth and development. “He ruled consciously not as a sectional leader, but as the ruler of all his subjects regardless of their political leaning, race, or religion,” Bamidele stated.
Bamidele said the monarch upheld the sanctity of royalty and defended his kingdom consistently, whether under military regimes or in democratic eras.
The Senate Leader added that Oba Adetona “lived and worked for the development, peace, and unity not only of Ijebu Kingdom, Ogun State, or the South-West, but indeed of our fatherland at large.”
PIAK