The death of Senator Adebayo Osinowo, aka Pepperito has caused grief among Nigerians as mourners condole with the family of the deceased.

It was gathered that some sympathizers, who converged in the house in Ogudu estate, Kosofe Local Government Area, expressed their grief over the passing away of the senator they described as their benefactor.

Princess Samiat Bada, the Chairman, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, while addressing mourners, said, “I am begging you in the name of Allah; there is no social distancing here. Leave and go home. Pray that God will repose his soul. Please go home.”

The senate, in a statement released by Ajibola Basiru, the Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the demise of the senator is a big loss to the senate and Nigeria.

“The demise of the lawmaker has dug a gorge in the political ranks of the progressives in the Senate and in Nigeria.

He (Osinowo) was a workaholic lawmaker, whose experience in the politics of the nation, Lagos and the Senate, cannot be discountenanced. The Senate has lost one of its best brains,” the statement said.

Among those who expressed their shock over the death of the lawmaker was the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

Lawan said the deceased served his country creditably as a distinguished senator at the ninth Senate, which marked its first anniversary only last week.

Ovie Omo-Agege, the Deputy President of the Senate, and the representative of Lagos West in the Senate, Solomon Adeola, in separate statements, said their late colleague was a passionate populist, who represented his constituency with “unflinching commitment.”

Also, the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said he received the news with shock and sadness.

 He said that he was “deeply hurt” by Osinowo’s death, describing him as a family member.

“His death hurts all who know him. Bayo was more than an excellent politician. As great a politician he was, Bayo was an even better person. He was a man of a kind heart and ready smile. His loyalty and enthusiasm were legendary, just as his generosity,” Tinubu said.

Also, Senator Gbenga Ashafa expressed sadness at the death of the lawmaker, who succeeded him (Ashafa) at the Senate.

“Senator Osinowo was a dear friend and political associate with whom I have built a relationship that has lasted over two decades.

“Senator Osinowo was a committed leader in the All Progressives Congress who always placed the interest of the party before his,” he said.

In a statement issued by Seye Oladejo the spokesman of the All Progressive Congress mourning the deceased, he said the deceased was a loyal member of the party.

“Pepper, as he was widely known, will be remembered for his wise counsel, mature leadership, loyalty to the party, and commitment to democratic ideals,” Seye Oladejo, said.

Also, President Muhammadu Buhari mourned the senator, saying he “worked diligently to advance this administration’s objective of building a better and prosperous Nigeria.”

Buhari, in a statement by Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, recalled Osinowo’s contributions to national development as a member of the ninth Senate.

Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, who also mourned the Senator, said the late Senator was a fine politician, who contributed to the growth and development of Lagos State through his membership of the ruling APC.

In a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker recalled his engagements with the late senator all in an attempt to better the lives of Lagosians.

“Senator Bayo Osinowo’s death is a painful loss to Lagosians. Here was a man, who dedicated himself to the service of his people. He was always at the forefront of delivering the dividends of democracy to the electorate,” he said.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, also condoled with the families of the deceased.

He expressed his sadness over the sudden death of Osinowo, who was a four-term member of the state House of Assembly.

Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Osinowo died at a time when the State and the nation were just benefiting from his intellectual contributions towards the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

“The death of Senator Bayo Osinowo is painful. He died at a time when we have just begun to consolidate on our successes and see a ray of hope in our fight against the COVID-19. We must not allow the death of Senator Osinowo to deter us from forging ahead in our quest to finding a lasting solution to the dreaded disease.

I am saddened by the death of this fine gentleman; a loyal party man and committed democrat, with a deep understanding of the state’s social and political landscape,” the statement read.

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The National Body of the APC and other concerned persons said that the tremendous works of the lawmaker can never be forgotten as he has contributed to the growth of the nation.

The 46 year old lawmaker died on Monday, June 15, in Lagos of complications related to COVID-19.

It was reported that the lawmaker died at the First Cardiology Consultant Hospital in Ikoyi, the same facility where the late Abba Kyari, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff died. 

It was learnt that the remains of the lawmaker would be moved from the hospital to Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, where he would be buried according to Islamic rites.