Osinowo: Tinubu, Lawan, Gbajabiamila react to death of Lagos Senator

The national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has mourned the passing away of Lagos east senator, Bayo Osinowo.

Okay.ng reports that the first time Senator, also known as “Pepperito”, died in Lagos from an unknown illness on Monday.

Reacting to the news, Tinubu in a statement said the sudden, unexpected passing “deeply hurt him and Lagosians”.

According to the former governor of Lagos, Osinowo was more than a close friend and political associate.

He said: “Over the years he became like a family member and brother in so many ways. Bayo and I have come a long way, dating back to our days in the pro-democracy struggles. We both enlisted in the Social Democratic Party where he served so well as the Youth Chairman of that party during the Third Republic and later in the Alliance for Democracy in 1998 after the restoration of democracy.

“Bayo’s contributions to the return of democracy were significant and enduring. As a prominent political figure in Lagos, he served with dedication, passion and concern for the common man.

“In the Lagos State House of Assembly, where he was a four-time member from 2003 to 2019 representing Kosofe Constituency 1, he was more than a member of that House. He provided leadership. He was a stabilising figure. He worked hard and tirelessly to make Lagos a better place.

“He cared for all Lagosians. His election in 2019 to represent Lagos East in the Senate demonstrated not only his immense political skills but also the affection the people have for him and his popularity.”

Also, the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, in a statement issued by his media team, expressed his “shock and sadness” over the death of Osinwo.

He said: “The pains of Senator Osinowo’s untimely departure will be felt by his Distinguished colleagues and the National Assembly in general.

“I condole with his family, friends, political associates and also the government and people of Lagos State over the loss.”

Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker, House of Representative, in a statement issued by his media team, said his engagements with the late senator were usually “an attempt to better the lives of Lagosians.”

“Senator Bayo Osinowo’s death is a painful loss to Lagosians. Here was a man who dedicated himself to the service of his people. He was always at the forefront of delivering the dividends of democracy to the electorate.

“As a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly for many years, he endeared himself to his constituents through different laudable projects. And as a Senator from June last year until his demise, Senator Osinowo was already proving his mettle.”