Sad Moments…Otunba Timehin Adelegbe Loses Best Friend

It was King Solomon of ancient Israel that explained that whereas relatives are wont to be around when there is trouble, a friend is always present. This is the fact that comes to mind upon the report of the sudden demise of Hon. Isaac Omolafe Adedayo, a federal lawmaker representing Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency, Ondo State. Perhaps the ‘outsider’ that would miss Adedayo the most is fellow lawmaker, Otunba Timehin Adelegbe.

The death of Adedayo on Monday, August 16, came as a rude shock to everyone. A man popularly known as Expensive, Adedayo was a darling to all and sundry, as chummy with the movers and shakers of Nigerian politics as he was with those of low bearing. Much like his friend, the representative of Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Ondo State, Adelegbe, Expensive was a man of the people, a man loyal to his conscience and his friends.

Apart from Adedayo’s immediate family, fewer than a few people will feel his passing as Adelegbe. He and the late lawmaker were two peas in a pod. Despite their belonging to rival political parties, Adedayo and Adelegbe enjoyed a camaraderie unavailable to others of a similar age group and status. True friendship is, after all, rare in the face of glittering political offices.

That is one way to describe the relationship between the late Adedayo and Adelegbe. In fact, it is reported that until the death of Adedayo, he and Adelegbe shared the same residence in Abuja. Even in Akure, the capital of Ondo, the pair built their homes very close to each other.

It wasn’t so long ago that folks noticed that Adedayo and Adelegbe were close enough to toast each other in times of trouble and triumph. One can only imagine what Adelegbe is going through at the moment.