Former Alliance for Democracy (AD) Whip in the House of Representatives and two-term member of the House on the platform of the party, Hon. Chief Babatunde Oduyoye, has described the late Chief Michael Koleoso as a forthright politician and patriot.
Oduyoye stated this on Tuesday in a condolence message he sent to newsmen in Ibadan, nothing that Chief Koleoso, who was AD National Chairman, was bold, open-minded and always ready to support what is right.
He expressed condolences to the Emi Abata Dynasty of Saki in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State, Pa Koleoso’s immediate family and the progressives family in Nigeria.
According to Oduyoye, who represented Ibadan Southwest/Ibadan Northwest Federal Constituency on the platform of the AD between 1999 and 2007, Pa Koleoso was a thoroughbred progressive and selfless leader, whose immense contributions led to the success of the AD at that time.
He added that the Saki-born politician and former Secretary to the Oyo State Government wrote his name in gold as father of progressive politics and an exemplary leader.
He said: “A great elephant has fallen; the last of the true progressives, Pa Michael Adeniyi Koleoso, the Babalaje of Saki land, is no more.
“Who can know Osho’s mother more than Osho himself? I saw Babalaje in action on the field of politics between 1999 and 2007 and I know that, indeed, he was the truest definition of a democrat and a progressive.
“I commiserate with the Koleoso family and the progressive fold in the country, while praying to God to grant repose to the soul of Babalaje.
“Goodnight, my Chairman!”