By Mudiaga Affe, Ben Ogbemudia, Kassim Omomia and Cajetan Mmuta
More tributes and condolences have continued to pour in for the late Publicity Secretary of the pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, as more Nigerians express shock over his demise.

While President Muhammadu Buhari described Odumakin as a dutiful Nigerian, nonagerian leader of Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo, said “he still remains in shock over his death”. Among other prominent Nigerians who paid glowing tributes to the deceased are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; All Progressives Congress National Leader, Bola Tinubu; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; a chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Supo Shonibare, and a human rights activist, Dr. Kayode Ajulo. Groups such as the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (InterSociety), Civil Liberties Organisation and the Peoples Deomocratic Party also extolled the virtues of the deceased. They said that his death was a great loss to the country and humanity. Odumakin died early on Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital COVID-19 Isolation Centre.

His wife, Joe Okei-Odumakin, had, in a statement shortly after his demise, said she had lost her better half. But paying his condolences, President Buhari, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, described the late Odumakin as a dutiful person. The President expressed sorrow over his demise and prayed to God to grant his family and all those he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.

Buhari’s statement read in part, “Odumakin was also spokesman for the then Major General Buhari in 2011 when he ran for President on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change, now defunct. “The President recalls Odumakin as dutiful, and a person of conviction, expressing sorrow at his demise, when he had a lot more to contribute to society and the nation at large. “His death is even more painful, particularly at this time when our country is wading through another turbulent episode, during which his contributions would have been most critical in navigating through the discordant tunes in our quest to forge a stronger, united nation.”

Adebanjo described the death of the Afenifere spokesman as “too heavy to bear”.

Tinubu, who equally expressed shock over the death, said Odumakin was a fearless fighter in promoting the cause of justice. Tinubu said, “Odumakin had participated actively at the forefront in the various students and youth struggles against successive military dictatorships in the 1980s and 1990s suffering arrests and detention which never dampened his spirit. “Odumakin was a frontline fighter in the struggle against the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election and the perpetuation of military dictatorship even at the risk of his life and liberty. “It is impossible to credibly tell the story of the emergence of the democracy we enjoy in this dispensation today without emblazoning Odumakin’s name in gold describing him as a doughty fighter for freedom and the rule of law.”

Also, Obaseki described him as a great patriot and champion of democracy. In a statement, Obaseki said Odumakin was a man of many parts who spoke unequivocally about Nigeria’s advancement. The governor said, “It is with a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of a great patriot; a champion of democracy and independent thought, Yinka Odumakin; a consummate nationalist, who strived for a greater, prosperous Nigeria. “Odumakin; a man of many parts, tirelessly spoke unequivocally for Nigeria’s advancement, pursuing causes to open up the civic space and engender community engagement in governance and politics.”

Ex-President Jonathan mourns Afenifere Spokesman, Odumakin

Former Vice President Abubakar said Odumakin was a patriot and advocate of good governance. Atiku, in a statement, said he received the news of the death of Odumakin, whom he described as his younger brother, with rude shock. “Odumakin was a patriot and strong believer in the promotion of good governance, democracy, and the rule of law, Atiku, who is the Wazirin Adamawa, added.

Similarly, Shonibare, said Odumakin fought for the underprivileged in the society. Shonibare said he had the privilege of receiving Odumakin into Afenifere and worked closely with him until his demise. Speaking exclusively with ThisNigeria, Shonibare said the late Afenifere spokesperson worked diligently to promote the course of the foremost Yoruba group.
He said, “When Yinka Odumakin left the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s group to join us in Afenifere, I had the privilege with Alhaji Ganiyu Daudu to receive him in the group.

Ajulo said Odumakin’s death was unfortunate. Ajulo told ThisNigeria that the late Odumakin was a dedicated patriot that would have loved to see a better Nigeria before his death. He said, “It was most unfortunate. He was a dedicated patriot, who would have loved to see a better Nigeria before his death.”

In the same vein, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (InterSociety), said Odumakin’s death was one too many. Chairman of the InterSociety, Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi said, “His death was one too many. We have lost an Iroko in Yorubaland, a man who had a pedigree for the enthronement of true democracy and better society in Nigeria.” Umeagbalasi noted that one thing that marked Odumakin out was his struggle for the masses.

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said his demise was a huge loss to the nation and particularly, the PDP, given his contributions to the national dialogue.
He said in a statement, “Odumakin was consistently focused on fighting for a nation in which the principles of equity, fairness, and justice will thrive in every sphere of our national life.
“He dedicated his life as a journalist, human rights activist, and social crusader for improvement in every phase of the life in our country”.