‘He was a man of conviction’ — Buhari ‘sorrowful’ over Odumakin’s death

President Muhammadu Buhari has described Yinka Odumakin, the late national publicity secretary of Afenifere, as a “man of conviction”.

Odumakin, a human rights activist, died of COVID-19 complications at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

On Saturday, Joe Okei Odumakin, his wife, confirmed the development.

Buhari said Odumakin, his one-time spokesman, had a lot more to contribute to society and the nation.

The president prayed that God will grant repose to his soul and comfort those that mourn him.

“President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with the family, friends, and acquaintances of Yinka Odumakin, spokesman of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere,” he said in a statement released by Femi Adesina, the presidential spokesperson.

“Odumakin was also spokesman to the then Gen Buhari in 2011 when he ran for President on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), now defunct.

“The President recalls Odumakin as dutiful, and a person of conviction, expressing sorrow at his demise, when he had a lot more to contribute to society and the nation at large.

“President Buhari prays God to grant repose to the soul of the departed activist, and comfort all those who mourn him.”

Odumakin was a key member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which tackled the Sani Abacha regime after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.