• Ambode, APC condole with family
By Moshood Adebayo, Perpetua Egesimba and Chinaza Chukwuka
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday expressed sadness over the death of Mr. Abdullateef Raji, a commissioner in the state Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
Raji, 54, who died in the early hours of yesterday was a former special adviser on Information and Strategy between 2011 and 2015 in the state.
Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, described the late Raji as a seasoned media strategist who was always committed to serve in any capacity he found himself.
“Raji, in no small way, contributed to the success of the last local government elections in Lagos where he served as one of the LASIEC’s commissioners. He was ever committed to contribute his quota in any office he was appointed to serve.
“His demise has come as a rude shock to us as he died in the line of duty. He was a brilliant scholar and an astute writer of repute, who used his pen to enhance the narrative of rule of law and democracy in Nigeria.
“On behalf of my family and the people of Lagos State, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Lateef Raji on this great and irreparable loss. He will be surely missed,” the governor said. Ambode urged his family to draw strength from the fact that he made meaningful impact during his lifetime.
In a related development, Lagos chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has condoled with the family of late Raji, former special adviser to former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola.
The party, in a statement yesterday, said: “It is with heavy hearts, deep sorrows and tears that we mourn the devastating loss of our loyal, dedicated and strong pillar in APC, Raji.”
According to APC, Mr. Raji was a progressive par excellence, a thinker, scholar and a great soldier of ideas in politics and was a dedicated servant of the party from the days of Alliance for Democracy, Action Congress of Nigeria to APC.
“Lateef served under Fashola as special adviser on Information and Strategy and gave a powerful and excellent good account of himself in actions and deeds.”
The party reiterated its sympathy for the family of the deceased and asked Allah to give them the courage and fortitude to bear the great loss.