ABEOKUTA - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has lamented the death of its one time governorship aspirant and former deputy governor of Ogun State, Alh. Rafiu Ogunleye

In his message of condolence issued in Abeokuta yesterday, Ogun PDP Chairman, Hon. Sikirulahi Ogundele described the death of Ogunleye as a great loss of a fine gentleman and politician, noting that he was one of the few politicians in the State who played politics without bitterness. According to him, the death of Ogunleye has further depleted the tribe of principled politicians in Ogun State.

The message reads in part, "The sudden passage of Alh. Ogunleye is indeed a very painful loss to Ogun State. The former deputy governor and one time governorship aspirant on the platform of our Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a genuine patriot, an outstanding statesman whose total fixity was predicated on the growth and development of Ogun State.

He was a gentleman, a thoroughbred, civil, humble but yet radiated a powerful intellect and a scholarly presence, stripped of arrogance", he said.

He added, " His death is undoubtedly the end of an era, a sad departure of one of the very significant symbol of those who dedicated their lives to the service of our nation".

Ogundele further said that even though "We owe God the gratitude for giving the late Ogunleye a long and prosperous life, yet, it is unfortunate that Ogun State would no longer be able to tap from his wealth of political wisdom. However, from Almighty Allah we all came and to Him we shall return. On behalf of the PDP family in Ogun State, I join the Ogunleyes in mourning the passing of this indisputably illustrious son of Ogun State. May Almighty Allah rest his soul in perfect peace".

Alh. Rafiu Ogunleye died at the early hours of Monday, 29th of July, 2019 at Babcock Hospital, Ilisan Remo after a brief illness. He was a deputy governor to Chief Olusegun Osoba in the 1992/93 political dispensation which saw the annulled famous June 12 election in the Babangida era. In 2014, he was honoured by the then First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan for his immense role towards the development of women in Nigeria. The Ijebu Itele-born politician passed on at the age of 79. He will be interred according to Muslim rites on Tuesday, 30th of July 2019 at the Itele Central Mosque in Ijebu East local government area of Ogun State.