Osun PDP Declares 3-day Mourning, As Party Pioneer Chairman, Ogunrinade Transits To Glory

By Michael Oladepo

It was a moment of sober reflection again for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family members in Osun state as the state chairman of party declared three days holiday for all the party members in honour of late Chief Olayiwola Ogunrinade.

The Osun State Chapter of PDP has announced officially, the transition to glory of its founding and pioneer State Chairman, Ogunrinade early morning of Tuesday by the family.

According to a release by the state chairman of the party, Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo, which was made available to OsunReporters News in Osogbo explained how Chief Layi Ogunrinade, bade the world farewell at the ripe age of 80.

Adagunodo described the erudite leader as a community leader, a political guru, a family man, a rallying point, saying “Osun State PDP has lost a colossus,”

Adagunodo who extolled the virtue of Chief Olayiwola Ogunrinade said “for over eighty years that he lived, Baba Olayiwola Ogunrinade was exemplary all round, from serving as a pioneer chairman of Egbedore local government to becoming the first chairman of our great party, the PDP in Osun state, baba was a unifying factor.” he said Chief Ogunrinade was a great community leader, an arbitrator with abundance of exceptional skills whose proverbial words of wisdom were often pivotal among committee of elders in our great party, especially when peace was required in any segment of the party.”

Adagunodo boldly said ‘I dare say we have lost a pillar whose absence would be sorely felt by all and sundry.

Hon. Adagunodo who expressed shock at the sudden death of Chief Layi Ogunrinade said “when I saw him about a week ago at a social function he was full of life , joking with me and members of my working committee, Baba was standing while talking and advising us on what we should be expected of us always as the custodians of the party structure, little did I know that Baba was passing a farewell message and last instructions to us ”

The message added “with heavy heart but with total submission to the will of God Almighty, Osun PDP is rudely shocked by the news of the demise of that frontliner, a trailblazer, a pathfinder and most indelibly, the first Osun State Chairman of our great party PDP, Chief Layi Ogunrinade as he was fondly called.”

Adagunodo said “the assemblage of who is who at your 80th birthday celebration was instructive as to say ” the Ogunrinade you see today you may see no more” .

The state chairman, went on to say that “members of the party in Osun state are consoled that you left a good legacy. You ran a good race and handed over the baton in good form and shape.”

He therefore prayed that the deceased should continue to rest in the bosom of his Lord and creator. He also prayed that “God should console and grant the family he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The party said “burial arrangements will be as announced by the family and that the party shall be involved in every inch of it.

The Osun PDP therefore, directs as a matter of respect for the late party Leader, saying “that all party activities for the time being remains skeletal while party flags are to be flown at half mast and mourning shall be observed for three days in his honour” concluded the message.