Afenifere spokesperson, Yinka Odumakin, dies of COVID-19

Yinka Odumakin, the National Publicity Secretary of the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, has died of COVID-19.

Sources within the Afenifere and his close associates confirmed the news to Channels Television

His wife, Mrs Joe Okei-Odumakin, was also quoted to have confirmed the news of the death.

“A part of me is gone. A part of me is gone. He fought hard at the intensive care unit. Pray for me to survive this. My love is gone.

“He was OK before. Even on March 10, he was still attending meetings. He was recovering yesterday but he died this morning. I am at the intensive care unit. A part of me is gone,” she told PUNCH newspaper.

He died at the intensive care unit of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital after a brief illness.

Odumakin was a renowned human rights activist who played a key role in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought the regime of General Sani Abacha after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.

He was also one of the spokespersons of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF), the body representing ethnic nationalities in the South-West, South-South, South-East, and the Middle Belt.

Married to another activist, Dr Joe Odumakin, he is one of the strongest critics of the present Buhari-led administration.

He has strongly condemned the activities of some killers in Yorubaland.

In his recent interview on Channels Television, he said those who are afraid of the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) codenamed Operation Amotekun are criminals.

He said the initiative is for the protection of the ordinary people within the Southwest.