By Uche Amunike
The death has been announced of the South-west Zonal Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Soji Adagunodo, at the age of 62.
Adagunodo, who was also a former chairman of the PDP in Osun State, passed on in the United States of America after a brief undisclosed illness.
His death was confirmed by one of his sons, Olasoji Adagunodo Jr., who stated thus in an obituary announcement: ‘We announce the passing on to the glory of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo Oluwatukesi, National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the Peoples Democratic Party.’
‘He died aged 62 on Monday 8th May 2023, in the United States of America, after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and political family. Burial arrangements will be announced by the family,” he publicly announced.
The late PDP chieftain hailed from Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State and also served as a former member of the Osun State House of Assembly.
In the meantime, Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke has described Adagunodo’s death as a loss that affected, not only the PDP, but also the state as a whole.
Speaking, through a statement released by his Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke said that the late Adagunodo was one of his ardent supporters who did his best to see that he won the Osun State governorship election.
His words: ‘Late Hon Adagunodo is a friend whom I supported to become the state Chairman of the PDP and who in turn backed me to emerge a Senator of the Federal Republic. It is a bitter loss and we will badly miss him.’
‘The news of the passing of Hon. Adagunodo was devastating to me as a person. I note Hon. Adagunodo contributions to our great party as the Chairman in Osun state and I celebrate the impacts he effected as the South West Chairman of PDP.’
‘I share in the grief of his family and loved ones, recalling with fondness the good memory he shared with our great party as well as the impacts till his last moment on earth.’
‘It is our prayer that Almighty God be pleased with his soul and grant Hon. Adagunodo eternal rest just as every loved ones have the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.’
The presidential flag bearer of the PDP in the February 25th election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has also joined family and friends of the late Chieftain to mourn his demise.
He described the death of their party stalwart as, not just the loss of a patriot, but that of a political asset.
In a condolence message sent out by his media office, Wednesday, in Abuja, he referred to the deceased as a committed community steward, a great parliamentarian, a people-oriented politician and a political administrator.
He reached out to the PDP family, both at the national level and in the state level, expressing his condolences at the painful loss of their illustrious son.
He further stated that he felt the pain of the Obokun people of Ijeshaland who were his in-laws and that of the entire people of Osun state at their moment of grief.
