Former Lagos State Commissioner for Sports Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele is dead.
The politician, fondly called the ‘Prince of Hope’, died in India, after a brief illness. He was 60.
Adeniji-Adele was said to have been flown out of the country few weeks ago for treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
He was one of the children of the late Eleko of Lagos, Oba Musendiku Adeniji-Adele, who reigned from 1949 to 1964.
The former commissioner took Lagos grassroots politics by storm in the early 1990s when he became the Chairman of Lagos Island Council.
His administration recorded a lot of monumental achievements, which made him a model administrator.
The deceased was a colourful political actor; gifted in speech, blessed with a solid political structure and always proud of his royal heritage.
Adeniji-Adele was one of the chieftains of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), who fought for the de-annulment of the June 12,1993 presidential election won by the late businessman, Chief Moshood Abiola.
He threw his hat into the ring during the governorship race in Lagos State under the ill-fated Abacha transition programme.
The former commissioner was a household name when he emerged the candidate of the defunct Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM).
In 1999, Adeniji-Adele pitched his tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), becoming the running mate to its governorship flag bearer, Chief Dapo Sarunmi.
But the duo were defeated by the Tinubu/Bucknor-Akerele ticket on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
In 2003, Adeniji-Adele contested for the governorship ticket. But, he was defeated at the primary by one of his erstwhile supporters, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.
Ahead of the 2007 polls, he joined the defunct Action Congress (AC), following advice from former Governor Bola Tinubu.
Adeniji-Adele served as Commissioner for Youths and Sports in the Fashola administration between 2007 and 2011.
His son, Sultan, was a member of the House of Assembly between 2011 and 2015.
His son-in-law, Ayodele Adewale, was the Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government.
In 2011, he ceased to play an active role in the party, until the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential and governorship primaries in Lagos.
The late Adeniji-Adele enjoyed close rapport with other APC leaders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the Minister of Works, Housing and Power.
He was among eminent Lagosians fighting against what observers have described as “real or imagined marginalisation of Lagosians by the government”.
On May 3, which was his wife’s birthday, , he wrote a post at 1.27am on his Facebook page: “Today, I celebrate this woman of valour as she adds another year. Happy birthday my love. “ It was liked by 126 persons.
Atiku said the pro-democracy community lost one of its vibrant members.
In his tribute, the former Vice-President said the late Adeniji-Adele would be remembered for his gallant role to free Nigeria from repressive military rule during the era of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.
Atiku said opposing military rule was the greatest risk anyone could take, pointing out that he was impressed that the former commissioner was not deterred by those risks.
”It is on record that he did not criticise military rule from a safe distance, but joined the determined and like-minded group of Nigerians who stood in the firing line to extricate democracy from the shackles of military dictatorship,” he said.
According to Atiku, Nigerians are today enjoying the fruits of the sacrifices made by pro-democracy activists like the late Adeniji-Adele, “who stood up to military despotism at a time one’s life would be snuffed out with impunity”.
The former Vice-President said as a valiant soldier of democracy, Adeniji-Adele’s contributions and sacrifices would not be forgotten by fellow Nigerians.
Tinubu expressed sadness at the death.
In a statement, the APC National Leader said: “His death at 60 saddens us all.
“He was of great capacity and a consumate politician.
“He put his heart into whatever assignment set before him.
“As a Commissioner for Sports in Lagos he excelled and our sports was the better for it.
“Even in politics, He loved Lagos dearly. He was a champion for Lagos and Lagos will remember him well.”
The former governor prayed that God should comfort Adeniji-Adele’s family and keep them safe.
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