Dr Reuben Abati, the running mate to the late Senator Buruji Kashamu in the 2019 Ogun gubernatorial election, says he is completely heartbroken over his sudden death.
“I feel like an orphan all over again. I may have worked with the PDP government at the Federal level, but he was the man who brought me into direct, partisan politics. He was one of the most generous men that I have ever known.
“Senator Buruji Kashamu was my political mentor. Now he is dead at the relatively young age of 62.
“He was determined to groom me and he did. He taught me the ropes. He linked me with the grassroots. I learnt a lot from him.
Senator Kashamu mentored me and others without any strings attached. He was a very simple man who was grossly misunderstood by his political opponents,” he said in a statement emailed to PerSecondnews.
Eulogising Kashamu, Abati said:”His persona, his politics was indeed grossly misunderstood but those who knew him personally met a man who loved Nigeria dearly and was unapologetically public-spirited.
He enjoyed giving other people opportunities. He was humorous, kind-hearted, large-hearted and genial.”
The former spokesman to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan said Kashamu’s death was a loss to Nigeria, Ogun state, Ijebuland and the people of Ijebu-Igbo.
“We have lost an illustrious son, who demonstrated courage, talent and creativity in everything to which he applied his energy.
“His death is yet another confirmation that COVID-19 is real, capricious and wicked. It is also a sober reaffirmation of the maxim that “man proposes, but God disposes.”
On 2023, Abati said Kashamu had no ambition to run for office in 2023, but he made it clear he would support others to achieve their dreams of getting an opportunity to make contributions on the Nigerian stage.
“And now, he is gone. Death is a cruel fact of human reality. It puts an end to life and many things. But Senator Kashamu will never be forgotten by those who loved him and who were privileged to relate with him.
“My heartfelt condolences to Sherifat and her siblings and all members of the Kashamu family, the people of Ijebu Igbo and Ogun State,” he said.
