Nigerians have lost trust in you, cleric tells political leaders

• Tinubu, Fayemi, Akeredolu, Sanwo-Olu pay tributes as Fasanmi is buried
• Osun State bids elder statesman farewell

The Bishop of Ekiti Oke Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt. Revd. Isaac Olatunde Olubowale, has said that Nigerians are facing untold hardship and have lost trust in political leaders of this country.

Bishop Olubowale stated this yesterday at the funeral service for the late Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Fasanmi, held at Saint John’s Anglican Church, Iye-Ekiti. He said that life is not important except it impacts on others, urging the leaders to continually do good to humanity.

“Nigeria is here not because of lack of resources and people, but because we lack set goals, agenda and commitment to the people.

“Many of us no longer have trust in this nation. No trust in ourselves and our leaders,” the bishop said.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by former Lagos Deputy Governor, Abiodun Ogunleye, said Nigerians should learn from the late politician who lived a modest and spartan lifestyle. He described Fasanmi as a civilian revolutionist and a politician of outstanding mien, civility and character, who is worth being emulated.

Also, Governors of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, in their tributes, described the late Afenifere leader as one of the country’s unsung heroes, saying that his demise had robbed them of a “godfather and counsellor.”

Fayemi described Fasanmi’s contributions to the development of democracy as immeasurable, particularly his role in the formation and operation of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought against military imperialism in the country. Akeredolu, who spoke on behalf of the South-West governors, said the passage of the icon was a loss to Yoruba race and Nigeria at large.

In the same vein, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagements, Aderemi Adebowale, said Fasanmi’s influence became more pronounced by his incorruptible nature. Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola yesterday paid his last respect to the late Afenifere leader.

The governor, who spoke at a short farewell ceremony at Itawure, the border of the two states, represented by his deputy, Mr. Benedict Alabi, noted that if not for the late Pa Fasanmi’s wish to be buried in Ekiti State, Osun State would have concluded all the burial rites and buried the late politician in the state.