The All People’s Movement (APM) candidate for Saki West State Constituency, Hon. Salaudeen Kabeer Adebayo (SKA), has expressed profound grief over the death of Alhaji Raheem Durojaye, a respected political doyen, elder statesman and one of the founding figures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Saki.
Adebayo made his position known during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased, where he commiserated with members of the Durojaye family, friends, associates and the wider political community over the passing of the veteran politician.
Describing the deceased as a man whose life was deeply intertwined with the evolution of political activities in Saki, the APM candidate said Alhaji Durojaye’s death represented a significant loss not only to his immediate family but also to the political community and the people of Saki who benefited from his experience, counsel and longstanding involvement in public affairs.
According to him, the late Durojaye occupied a unique position in the political history of the community, having witnessed and participated in different phases of Nigeria’s democratic development. His longevity in politics, he noted, gave him a wealth of experience that made his counsel valuable to both established political actors and younger generations coming into public service.
“Alhaji Raheem Durojaye was more than a politician; he was an elder statesman and a repository of political wisdom. His contributions to the political development of Saki and his role as one of the founding fathers of the PDP will not be forgotten,” Adebayo said.
The APM candidate further described the deceased as a bridge between different generations of politicians, stressing that his political relevance extended beyond party affiliation. He noted that although politicians operate under different platforms and pursue varying political interests, the wisdom, experience and contributions of respected elders remain important to the stability and development of any political community.
Adebayo said the passing of Alhaji Durojaye should therefore serve as an opportunity for political leaders and younger politicians to reflect on the values required to sustain meaningful political participation, particularly tolerance, consultation, mentorship, mutual respect and peaceful engagement.
He urged emerging politicians to appreciate the importance of learning from experienced leaders, arguing that political development is strengthened when younger generations draw from the institutional memory and experiences of those who have served before them.
The APM candidate also commiserated with the deceased’s family, describing the loss as painful and irreparable while encouraging them to take solace in the life he lived and the relationships he built throughout his years of service and participation in community and political affairs.
“At this difficult moment, my thoughts and prayers are with the Durojaye family. May Almighty Allah grant Alhaji Raheem Durojaye Al-Jannah Firdaus and give his loved ones the fortitude to bear his passing,” he added.
Adebayo emphasised that the death of an elder statesman should transcend political differences, stressing that humanity and communal bonds must remain stronger than temporary political contests.
He maintained that political affiliations may change, candidates may emerge and elections may come and go, but the responsibility to preserve the dignity of elders, promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen the unity of the community remains a collective obligation.
The condolence was consequently presented as both a gesture of sympathy to the bereaved family and an acknowledgement of the enduring place of Alhaji Raheem Durojaye in the political history of Saki.
As tributes continue to accompany his death, the late political veteran is being remembered for his years of participation in public affairs, his experience within the political space and his place among the elders whose activities contributed to shaping political engagement in Saki and its surrounding communities.
