The deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2023 elections in Lagos State, Funke Akindele, has lost her mother, Dr. R.B. Adebanjo-Akindele.
The elder sister of the Nollywood actress, Olubunmi Akindele, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement said: “It is with heavy hearts, but in total submission to God Almighty that the ADEBANJO and AKINDELE families announce the passing of their daughter, mother, grandmother and sister, DR. R B ADEBANJO-Akindele, which occurred on Tuesday 07 February 2023.”
Reacting, the Lagos State chapter of the PDP sympathised with Akindele over the death of her mother.
The party in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, described the death as a loss to the state.
Amode, also the Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the JandorFunke 2023 Campaign, described the late mother of the ace Nollywood actress as an epitome of motherhood and an inspiration to women.
He said: “It is with heavy heart and total submission to the will of the Almighty God that the leadership and members of the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commiserate with the family of Akindele on the death of their mother, Dr R. B. Adebanjo-Akindele.
“She is the mother of Barr. Olufunke Akindele, the deputy gubernatorial candidate of our party in the coming 2023 election.
“Dr Adebanjo-Akindele was an epitome of motherhood, a respected medical doctor and an astute disciplinarian with great positive influence on her children, relatives and the society at large.
“She had lived an exemplary life as the mother of the one most popular and successful actress and politician in our time and so in death, we should celebrate her life.
“We are sure her legacy and her works will continue to keep her alive in the minds of those that are her relations and those she had affected positively.”
Amode prayed for the repose of the deceased, said that the party lost her when she was most needed.
He added: “On behalf of the leadership of our party, the Gubernatorial Candidate of our party, Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran – Jandor, the party executives and the entire members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, we express our deepest heartfelt condolence to our Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate, Barr Olufunke Akindele and the entire member of Akindele family.
“We pray that God will grant the family the fortitude to bear her demise.”