Three former heads of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalam were in Ilorin, yesterday, to condole with the family of the late former Second Republic Senate leader, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki.
Gen. Buhari came to town in the company of former House of Representatives’ speaker, Aminu Bello Masari while Gen Babangida came with Gen. Abdulsalam and former secretary to the government of the federation, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe.
Other dignitaries that visited the Sarakis, yesterday, included former chairman of EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu who was accompanied by the former National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Alhaji Yusuf Ali and former general secretary of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Senator Lawan Shuaib.
Speaking during the visit, Gen. Babangida described the late political icon and Waziri of Ilorin, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, as a man of honour and integrity.
The former military president urged Nigerian leaders to emulate the exemplary conduct of the late politician, who he noted used his wealth to better the lots of the down trodden.
He added, “Waziri’s death is not only a loss to people of Ilorin alone but to Nigerians at large. He touched so many lives. In fact, I’m a beneficiary of the late Saraki’s humour. He tried so much.
“Saraki came to this life, we saw what he did, people talk about his good deeds and it is my belief that with these testimonies, God will grant him eternal rest”.
Also, Gen Buhari described the late politician as a great man who spent his life catering for the needs of his people. He urged the children of the late politician to sustain the enviable legacies of their father.
In his own remarks, Mallam Ribadu, said Nigerians should rather celebrate the life and times of the late Olusola Saraki rather than grieve over the loss,and added that, “people should thank God for his life.