Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has expressed shock over the death of Sen. Buruji Kashamu on Saturday.
A statement issued in Abeokuta by Mr Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Abiodun, confirmed that Buruji died in a hospital in Lagos on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kashamu represented the Ogun East Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly.
He also contested the governorship position of the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections.
Abiodun, in the statement, described Kashamu’s passage as one death too many and a devastating blow to the nation’s political family generally.
“I received the sad news of the passing of Sen. Buruji Kashamu today, August 8, 2020, with a deep pain and grief that words cannot capture.
“On behalf of my family, the government and good people of Ogun, I convey our deepest condolences.
“His demise further diminishes the tribe of my close political associates.
”He was a large-hearted politician and courageous fighter for whatever cause he believed in.
“He was not just a loving personality, a generous giver and someone who lived for others, he was to many a beacon of hope of a better tomorrow.
“This painful exit is much more than the end of an individual,” Abiodun said.
The governor described Kashamu as a phenomenon who was faithful to his principles and convictions, adding that his critics would even attest to his tenacity of purpose.
Abiodun, who also referred to Kashamu as ” a brother and friend”, said the deceased was a consummate politician and patriot who would be sorely missed within and outside Ogun for his “larger than life” disposition.
“Posterity will accord him his due recognition for his legacies of service and forthrightness.
“He was a worthy Ambassador of Ogun.
Similarly, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a letter dated Aug. 8, and addressed to Abiodun, a copy of which was made available to NAN, also condoled with the governor over Kashamu’s death.
” I received the sad news of the demise of Sen. Buruji Kashmu, a significant citizen of Ogun.
“Please accept my condolence and that of my family on this irreparable loss.
“The life and history of the departed have lessons for those of all us on this side of the veil.
“Kashamu in his lifetime used the maneuver of law and politics to escape from facing justice on alleged criminal offence in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.
” But no legal, political, cultural, social or even medical maneuver could stop the cold hand of death when the Creator of all of us decides that the time is up.
A former lawmaker, Sen. Ben Bruce had earlier revealed that Kashamu died of COVID-19 at the First Cardiology Consultants in Lagos.
Bruce wrote on his verified twitter handle:“I have just lost my good friend of forever to COVID-19.
“Until his death, Sen. Buruji Kashamu and I were inseparable. He died today at First Cardiology Consultants in Lagos,” Bruce tweeted.
A former governor of Ogun, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, also expressed sadness over the death of Sen. Kashamu who died in Lagos on Saturday from complications arising from COVID-19.
Amosun, who is representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, in a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Alhaji Bola Adeyemi, described Kashamu’s death as a loss to Nigeria.
“Death, once again, has robbed us of the contributions of an enigmatic politician of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who represented Ogun East Senatorial District at the 8th Senate.
“Although we belonged to different political persuasions and disagreed on most issues, Sen. Kashamu will nonetheless be remembered for his assertive presence and uncommon doggedness in the political arena.
“He fought myriad of wars with every breadth in his soul in the defence of whatever he believed in and for his personal freedom.
“Hate him or love him, he could not be easily ignored,” Amosun said.
Amosun expressed condolences to the nuclear and political family members of the deceased as well as to Ijebu Igbo community and Ogun as a whole.
In his reaction, a chieftain of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, says he is shattered by the death of Sen. Kashamu.
Kashamu, who had an extradition saga with U.S. authorities over alleged drug offences a few years ago, was a prominent member of the PDP.
Babatope, a former Minister of Transportation made the statement while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in a telephone interview on the passing of Kashamu.
Babatope described Kashamu’s death as devastating, saying that the death of the politician was a rude shock.
He described the PDP chieftain as a likable personality, saying that his departure was a big loss to the PDP.
“I am shattered by the news of the death of Sen. Buruji Kashamu. I am saddened by his departure.
“He was such a likable personality, who was liked by everyone in PDP.
“This is a big shock to us. This news is devastating. I wish it was not true that Kashamu is gone,” said Babatope.
He prayed for the repose of Kashamu’s soul, asking God to grant the family fortitude to bear the loss.
