Chief Owolabi Salis, the Alliance for Democracy (AD) Gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 elections in Lagos state, says late Pa Lateef Jakande embodied the democracy defined by the nation’s founding fathers.
Jakande, the first democratically elected governor of Lagos state and a former federal Minister of Works and Housing, died on Thursday, aged 91 and was buried on Friday in accordance with Islamic rites.
Salis in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday, said the late Pa Jakande was a faithful and true governor of the people by the people and for the people.
“I contested for governor of Lagos state under the Alh. Lateef Jakande led Action Party of Nigeria (APN) in 2007, after being disqualified by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at that time.
“Baba and I, many times have sat down discussing the poor people – how to upgrade them.
” It was so painful then that the people were unable to back his party because they did not understand that he wanted to continue with services to humanity through the party.
” He lived a great and good life and gave the people the true dividends of democracy that most leaders promised on paper but never in deed,” Salis said.
He urged Nigerian leaders to emulate the humanitarian services of the late Jakande and prayed for the repose of his soul.
Salis also condoled the immediate family of the late Jakande and prayed to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
“May Eledumare grant him eternal rest,” he added.
