Afenifere Spokesman, Yinka Odumakin Dies

On Saturday, April 3, Nigerian human rights activist and politician, Yinka Odumakin, passed on. He died at the age of 54. According to his wife, Odumakin died from respiratory issues resulting from COVID-19 at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. Since the announcement of his death, there has been an outpour of tributes in his honour.

In his condolence message, President Muhammadu Buhari described Odumakin as ‘’dutiful and a person of conviction.’’ He expressed sorrow at his demise, noting that he had ‘’a lot more to contribute to society and the nation at large.’’

According to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the deceased was a “committed fighter for democracy. He was a dedicated civil society activist, a courageous and outspoken defender of whatever ideals and principles he believed in. He was a patriotic citizen in every sense of the word.”

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Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, also commented in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin. He said; “For those of us who have followed Odumakin’s trajectory in journalism and activism, he lived a good life and fought doggedly to defend the defenceless. He and his wife were always at the forefront to protest against oppressive government policies.”

“As the spokesperson of Afenifere, he discharged his duties diligently and defended the cause of the southwest passionately. He never hid his passion for the Yoruba people and was never timid to speak against any policy that would affect the generality of the nation.’’

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Furthermore, the wife of the late activist, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said, ‘’I appreciate the outpouring of grief and sympathy from home and abroad as I mourn my irreplaceable soulmate. I urge us all to remain steadfast in the cause of the masses to which he dedicated his life. Burial arrangements will be made public in due course.”

Until his death, Yinka Odumakin was the national secretary of Afenifere, a Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group. He also served as the spokesman for President Buhari when he ran for presidency during the 2011 presidential elections.

Consequently, Odumakin was a part of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which fought the military regime to fester the actualisation of the June 12 Presidential Election results and enthronement of democracy. He was a diligent leader who sought justice always. He will be missed greatly.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the his family. May the soul of the departed rest in peace.