Senator Smart Adeyemi has called for compulsory medical checks at major political meetings following the sudden death of the APC Chairman in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Oyewole Mayowa Solomon.
Solomon reportedly slumped and died on Thursday during a reconciliation meeting in Iyara, leaving party members and colleagues shocked.
In a statement issued on Friday in Lokoja, Adeyemi described the incident as painful and devastating, saying Solomon was a young, energetic and committed party leader whose contribution to the APC in Ijumu would be difficult to replace.
Adeyemi said Solomon was more than a party chairman to him, describing him as a dependable party member and “the best chairman the APC has had in Ijumu Local Government Area.”
The senator said the circumstances surrounding the death had deeply disturbed him, particularly because Solomon died while attending a meeting focused on peace, reconciliation and unity within the party.
He argued that lengthy political meetings can place physical and emotional demands on participants and urged political parties to take the health of members more seriously.
Adeyemi therefore called on the APC leadership and other political parties to introduce basic medical screening, particularly blood pressure checks, before major meetings.
“This is not about politics. It is about preserving lives. No political meeting, no matter how important, is more important than the life of a party member.”
He said anyone found to be medically unfit should be allowed to leave the meeting and seek immediate medical attention rather than being expected to continue participating.
Adeyemi also recalled the death of former Kogi State Commissioner for Special Duties, Yahaya Adesayo Ismail, who also reportedly slumped and died in Ijumu in January 2024.
He urged political leaders not to simply mourn Solomon and move on, but to consider preventive measures that could help avoid similar tragedies.
The former senator expressed his condolences to Solomon’s wife, children, relatives, friends, political associates and the entire APC family in Ijumu, praying for strength for the family and eternal rest for the deceased.
He described Solomon’s death as a painful reminder that “life must always come before politics.”
Source: Statement by Senator Smart Adeyemi.
