Senator Smart Adeyemi has described the sudden death of the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State, as “painful, shocking and devastating,” while calling on party leaders nationwide to introduce mandatory health checks before major political meetings.
Hon. Oyewole Mayowa Solomon reportedly slumped and died while attending a reconciliation meeting in Iyara, Ijumu. In a statement, Adeyemi said he received the news with “profound shock and disbelief,” describing Solomon as one of the most dependable party leaders the APC had produced in the local government, and someone whose contribution to strengthening the party would be difficult to replace.
“Mayowa was young, energetic, committed and deeply passionate about the progress of our party and his people,” Adeyemi said, adding that Solomon was, without exaggeration, the best chairman the APC had had in Ijumu.
The former senator said the circumstances of the death — occurring during a meeting meant to promote peace and unity within the party — had left him deeply disturbed and unable to sleep as he tried to process the loss.
Adeyemi used the tragedy to raise broader concerns about the health and wellbeing of political figures who routinely take part in lengthy, high-pressure meetings, particularly reconciliation sessions involving large numbers of stakeholders.
He called on the national leadership of the APC and other political parties, along with organisers of high-level political gatherings, to introduce compulsory basic medical screening — especially blood pressure checks — before such meetings begin. Where a participant is found to be medically unfit, he said, they should be allowed to step away and seek immediate care.
“This is not about politics. It is about preserving lives,” Adeyemi said. “No political meeting, no matter how important, is more important than the life of a party member.”
Adeyemi noted that Solomon’s death follows a similar incident in the same local government in 2024, when former Commissioner Ismail Adesayo reportedly also slumped and died. He said the recurrence should prompt reflection on preventive measures rather than mourning alone.
“We should not simply mourn and move on,” he said. “We must ask ourselves what lessons can be learnt and what preventive measures can be put in place to avoid another loss of this nature.”
Adeyemi extended condolences to Solomon’s family, associates and the wider APC family in Ijumu, praying for strength for the bereaved, particularly Solomon’s wife and children.
“His death is a painful reminder that life must always come before politics,” he said.
