Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda, Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime and the Northern Governors' Forum yesterday with the death of Second Republic's Senate Leader, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the country has lost a great leader.

Aregbesola, in a statement by the Director of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the death of Dr. Saraki is a big loss to the nation.

The governor said Dr. Saraki's experience, knowledge, versatility and ingenuity in the art and dynamics of lawmaking and politics would be missed greatly.

The statement reads: "He was a Second Republic Senate leader on the platform of the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN). Dr. Olusola Saraki for decades bestrode the political firmament of Kwara State like a colossus.

"During his time, he was a shrewd politician, though a conservative, a medical doctor by training, who excelled more on the political turf; astute administrator, a religious leader, bridge-builder, leader of men, and a firm believer in selfless service to his immediate people of Kwara and by extension Nigeria in general.

"No doubt, the personality of this great, old political warhorse would be hard to come by again. Indeed, a huge gulf has been created with the demise of Wazirin Ilorin.

"On behalf of myself and the people of Osun, I offer our condolences to the entire family of Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the people of Kwara and Nigerians as a whole. We pray that Almighty Allah grants the departed soul Aljaana Firdaus."

Yuguda, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ishola Michael Adeyemi, said: "His knowledge of politics contributed to the success democratic process and the second Republic."

Chime commiserated with Senator Bukola Saraki and other members of the deceased's family over the death of their father and frontline politician.

The governor, in a message by his Chief Press Secretary, Chukwudi Achife, described the late Turaki of Ilorin as a vibrant and exemplary political leader.

He said Saraki also worked hard to bring development to his people.

Chairman of the northern governors and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, in a statement in Minna, commiserated with the government and people of Kwara State over the death of the political giant.

In the statement by Aliyu's Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, the forum described Saraki as a man of peace and a rare patriot.

The forum said: "It is also noteworthy that his over three decades in the nation's political firmament brought tremendous progress and modernisation to Kwara State and Nigeria."