Dr. Olusola Abubakar Saraki, the strongman of Kwara politics, who died this morning in Lagos, aged 79, had an unfulfilled wish, it has disclosed.

Saraki, according to one of his former associates, one-time Transport Minister Chief Ebenezer Babatope, had wished to meet the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, but never had the opportunity to do so until Awo died on May 9, 1987.

“When we were both in the National Political Reform Conference during former President Obasanjo’s time in 2005, Dr. Saraki once told me that one of his regrets was his inability to know and meet Papa Obafemi Awolowo during the old man’s lifetime,” Babatope said in a press statement released this afternoon in Lagos.

He described Saraki as “one of the frontline leaders of our country,” adding: “He was a charismatic leader of many Nigerians. His supporters called him ‘OLOYE’. Though we were on opposite sides of Nigerian politics during the Second Republic, Dr. Saraki was well respected and admired.”

Babatope commiserated with Governor Fatai Ahmed of Kwara State “on the death of this great man” and sent his condolences to “Senator Bukola Saraki and the entire Saraki Family of Ilorin.” Announcing the death of his father, who was at various times Kwara State governor and a Senator, Senator Bukola Saraki had said: “With gratitude to Almighty Allah, we announce the passage to eternity of our beloved father and grandfather, His Eminence, Oloye (Dr) Abubakar Olusola Saraki, Waziri of Ilorin, former Senate Leader, Second Republic, Federal Republic of Nigeria who answered the call to the great beyond early hours of today. (17 May 1933 - 14 Nov 2012).

“We take solace in knowing that our father lived an exemplary life of service, and selfless devotion to development of his people and nation. Baba will be sorely missed.”