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Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, apparently
overwhelmed by the occasion when the late Deputy Speaker of the State,
Saliu Adeoti was being buried yesterday, shed tears and could hardly
deliver a prepared grave-side eulogy at the deceased’s home in Otun
Ekiti, Moba Local Government area of the state.

Mr Adeoti, formerly the most senior official of the
Action Congress in government, died Wednesday at the University
Teaching Hospital, Ibadan.

Earlier at a special valedictory session held for the
late politician in the chambers of the State House of Assembly Complex,
the deceased was eulogized by former colleagues and political
associates. These include the Deputy Governor of the state,
Olufunmilayo Olayinka who described the late lawmaker as a political
son who was an epitome of dignity and honour.

The former governor of old Ondo state, Bamidele
Olumilua said it is not the tradition of the land for a father to
witness the burial of a son but that the late politician was not an
ordinary son but an accomplished general who fought for the
emancipation of the state.

“His appointment was made in heaven and he was a gift
to the state. At 39, he was an accomplished achiever whose life is a
shining example for others to emulate,” he said.

A former deputy speaker of the state Dapo Karunwi
said the late politician fought against the attempt of the People’s
Democratic Party to impose itself on the House.

Family tragedies

Mr Fayemi, on arrival at the deceased’s home, wrote
a sorrowful prose in the condolence register and later joined other
mourners at the graveside of his ardent supporters.

“Saliu, we did not plan it this way. You fought
gallantly for our people’s liberation and freedom. You were still with
us on victory day but alas! You are no more. Who are we to query
Allah?” the statement reads. “We can only promise that all your dreams
for our people in Moba and the whole Ekiti shall be fulfilled. Aljanah
First Class. Rest In Peace.” The late Deputy Speaker‘s family has
suffered a myriad of tragedies in the past few months, with the death
of his 28-year-old wife in February this year. His personal driver also
died few days after this incident, while his mother died three months
before his inauguration as Deputy Speaker.

Mr Fayemi told journalists after the lowering of the
coffin around 1.13pm that the late politician was loyal and totally
committed to the cause of transforming the state. He said party
faithful will be consoled by the fact that he lived to see the victory
of the party.

“He was a field Marshall for Action Congress of Nigeria and we owe him a duty to take care of his family,” he said.</