Braithwaite dies at 82, Buhari, Atiku, govs, NBA mourn

A prominent pro-democracy activist and the founder of the National Advance Party, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, died on Monday morning at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos. He was aged 82.

One of his sons, Olumide, who confirmed his death in a statement, said the elder statesman died few days after he slumped during an early morning workout.

He said, “Daddy did workout every morning. A few days ago before he was rushed to the hospital, he went out as usual and came back home. Then he felt he needed to do more. He went back and while jogging, he slumped and was rushed to the hospital.”

Olumide said the burial arrangements would be announced later.

He  said one of the attributes that endeared him to his father was his integrity and attentiveness to details.

Olumide, who contested to represent Lagos-Central senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party last year, said his father was a fulfilled man.

He said, “Daddy was a role model. He was a strong and handsome man who was very attentive to details. He trained me as a lawyer and I have been practising for the past 24 years. He taught us to always uphold integrity in whatever we do. He was a lay reader in the church, a bible scholar, a piano player and music enthusiast.

“He brought us up under strict Christian principles. We have a dedicated chapel at home. He monitored and supervised our morning and evening devotions which he presided over like a priest. If he rang the bell for prayers, you must drop whatever you were doing. He was a man of faith.

 “He motivated me to contest for public office. When I told him of my intention to contest for the Lagos Central senatorial district on the platform of the PDP, he was very impressed and gave me all the encouragement and support I needed.”

Speaking on what Braithwaite wanted to witness in his lifetime, Olumide said he (Braithwaite) wished that the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference were implemented.

He said although Braithwaite never held public office, he got many appointments which he turned down “because he felt he would be compromised.”

On how Nigeria should remember Braithwaite, Olumide added, “The Federal Government should call a national holiday in his honour. We are used to honouring heroes when they are gone, not when they are alive. Daddy would never ask for anything. It is left for the leaders to do what is right. His death is a call for the Federal Government to relentlessly pursue its anti-corruption ideals and accountability in governance.

Meanwhile, Nigerians including President Muhammadu Buhari, a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar; Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; his Ogun State counterpart, Ibikunle Amosun, have expressed sadness over Braithwaite’s death.

They said Nigeria had lost one of its greatest giants in the legal profession and politics.

The President’s condolence message was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

He expressed the belief that death of the lawyer, author and politician came at a time that his wisdom, intellectual depth, vast knowledge and experience were sorely needed by the country.

He recalled the deceased’s contributions to the development of democracy, rule of law and human rights in Nigeria.

While assuring his family and friends that the political history of the country would be incomplete without capturing his roles, Buhari called on all politicians to emulate the virtues of the deceased.

The statement read in part, “The President urges political leaders to emulate the virtues of the founder of the Nigerian Advance Party during the Second Republic, who perceived politics as a platform for honest service to the nation rather than an opportunity to make money.

“President Buhari notes that the elder statesman was quintessentially selflessness, patriotic and committed to national development as his passion to serve the people never waned despite not winning in the presidential elections.

“The President prays that the Almighty God will grant his soul eternal rest, and comfort his loved ones.”

Atiku, in a statement signed by his media office in Abuja on Monday, said he particularly admired the late Braithwaite because of his unwavering commitment to constitutional reforms, especially his agitation for the reconstruction of the country.

Mimiko   added that the deceased lived a life of   love and genuine concern for the downtrodden.

He stated this in a condolence message by the Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, on Monday.

The Ondo State governor noted that Braithwaite devoted his life to the emancipation of the common man through various platforms.

Amosun described the death of the foremost lawyer as a great loss.

The governor recalled how the late Braithwaite founded the Nigeria Advance Party in 1983 and remained faithful to the Nigerian cause through his words and deeds.

Amosun said the deceased’s contribution to national discourse and political development would be greatly missed.

“We can only take solace in the fact that Dr. Braithwaite lived a purposeful, impactful and successful life,” Amosun said.

Also, the President of the  Nigerian Bar Association, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), described Braithwaite’s death as shocking, stressing that the Nigerian legal community had lost an icon and a selfless member.