∇National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has poured encomiums on founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasehun, who died in Lagos on Saturday aged 83.
Fasehun, a trained medical doctor, took his last breath at 1 am on Saturday, at the intensive care unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.
Tinubu’s tribute was conveyed in a statement signed by his spokesman, Tunde Rahman in Lagos.
He described the late Fasehun as a renowned pro – democracy and good governance activist , committed democrat , tested political player and Yoruba nationalist.
Tinubu stressed that Fasehun never shied away from taking a position, unlike many who chose to sit on the fence.
Tinubu said, ”Dr Fasehun was a renowned pro – democracy and good governance activist , committed democrat , tested political player and Yoruba nationalist.
” I say all of that because I knew him well . We related very closely .
” He was known for his Yoruba nationalistic fervor. Like an Afenifere chieftain that he was , he fought stridently for the Yoruba cause .
” He canvassed true federalism and political restructuring . He fought as well for the cause of the Nigerian nation .
” The good thing about Baba is there was never a time that he sat on the fence.”
The former Lagos governor noted that Fasehun’s fine legacies must be sustained.
According to Tinubu, Fasehun fought for democratic rule under the military when he could just have faced only his medical practice.
The leading politician said, ”He founded the Oodua Peoples Congress to actualise June 12 but espoused non -violence.
” Nonetheless, he remained a thorn in the flesh of the military . It was , therefore, no surprise that Dr Fasehun was imprisoned for 19 months from December 1996 to June 1998 by the Gen . Sani Abacha regime.”
After return to democratic rule, Tinubu stated, Fasehun never took a backseat.
He said, ” From being an Alliance for Democracy sympathiser in 1999 to 2003 , he moved to the front stage.
” Perhaps , one of his last political acts was an attempt at reviving the Unity Party of Nigeria formed by the late sage , Chief Obafemi Awolowo , by giving the same name to the party he later formed .
‘ There was also something remarkable about Baba : his love for Lagos . Though born in Ondo in Ondo State, he spent the most part of his life in Lagos .
” It was here that he situated his medical hospital , the Besthope Hospital and Acupuncture Centre , and his hotel business – the Century Hotel .”
Tinubu commiserated with Fasehun’s loved ones, saying he will be sorely missed.
” He was an extremely humble and modest man . I will miss him dearly. The Southwest , particularly Lagos and Ondo states , will miss him . Nigeria will miss him also .
” I commiserate with the government and people of Ondo State. My sympathy and condolences particularly go to the Fasehun family at this moment .
” I hope and pray that God Almighty imbue them with the courage and strength to carry on.
” I enjoin them to continue with the fine legacies left behind by Baba . May Almighty grant Baba eternal rest,” he said.