Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has praised the virtues of the late former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Soji Adagunodo, who passed on to glory a year ago.
He said he would do everything to uphold the legacy of the former party chieftain, adding that he would complete the South-West PDP Secretariat project named after the late politician within the next few months.
Makinde stated this on Saturday during a brief remembrance event held in honour of the former South-West PDP chairman at the Soji Adagunodo PDP South-West Secretariat, Olaogun area, Ibadan, the state capital.
The governor made the disclosures on Saturday in a release issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
At the event attended by family members, political associates and PDP chieftains, the governor comforted the immediate family of Hon. Adagunodo, charging them to take solace in the fact that their loved one is resting in the bosom of the Lord.
Governor Makinde said: “I just want to thank God that our brother is in a good place, resting. I knew what he had to face towards the end. I know for sure that he is not experiencing any pain where he is, and we bless the name of God for that.”
He added: “I am glad because it has been one year, and we can still see the family together. We can still see the commitment to hold the family together. I say thank you, madam, for doing that on behalf of my brother.
“For some people, within one year of passing, the centre may not hold anymore. So, it is a demonstration and testimonial to how my brother handled the home front. Some people in politics do get carried away and the home front means nothing to them. They forget that when something happens on the political front, they fall back on the home front. So, I want to encourage you to keep looking at the family.
“I was looking forward to the one-year anniversary, and I thought we would open this edifice, but God said no. Within the next month, I will be coming here every week until the end of August.
“I like to encourage both SOJ’s immediate family and the political dynasty to continue to participate in the politics of our zone, not just in Osun State but also in Oyo State and the South West.”
Also in their separate tributes, the Ogun State PDP chairman, Mr Sikiru Ogundele; PDP South-West Youth Leader, Seyi Bamidele and the PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 election in Ogun State, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, described the late Adagunodo as a patriotic and outstanding leader, who served the party diligently.
They added that he would always be remembered for his good deeds.
Speaking on behalf of the Adagunodo family, one of the sons of the deceased, Mr Soji Adagunodo Jr, appreciated the magnanimity of the governor towards the family since the demise of their beloved father.
The highlight of the event was a minute silence for the soul of the late politician as well as the inspection of the Adagunodo PDP South West Secretariat.
Recall that Makinde named the building after the late Adagunodo during a commendation service held in his honour a year ago.
Also in attendance at the event were the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the PDP, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; South-West PDP chairman, Chief Kamorudeen Ajisafe; and members of the Adagunodo family.