Senator Smart Adeyemi has called for mandatory medical checks at major political meetings following the sudden death of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Oyewole Mayowa Solomon.
Solomon reportedly slumped and died on Thursday during a reconciliation meeting held in Iyara, leaving members of the party and political associates in shock.
Adeyemi, in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja on Friday, described the incident as painful and devastating. He said Solomon was a young and energetic party leader whose contribution to the APC in Ijumu would be difficult to replace.
The former senator said the circumstances surrounding Solomon’s death had particularly troubled him because the meeting was convened to promote peace, reconciliation and unity within the party.
“I received the news of the sudden death of our dear brother and party chairman, Hon. Mayowa Solomon, with profound shock and disbelief.”
Adeyemi described Solomon as a committed party member who was passionate about the development of the APC and his community.
He said the deceased was not merely a party chairman but a dependable political associate whom he considered one of the best chairmen the APC had produced in Ijumu. According to him, Solomon’s death represents a loss not only to his family but also to the APC in Ijumu, Kogi State and beyond.
The former senator said the incident should prompt political parties to reconsider the health arrangements surrounding lengthy political meetings.
Adeyemi therefore urged the national leadership of the APC and other political parties to introduce compulsory basic medical screening before major gatherings. He specifically called for blood pressure checks and other routine assessments capable of identifying participants who may require immediate medical attention.
“We cannot continue to assume that everyone who walks into such meetings is medically fit to participate for hours.”
He suggested that anyone found to be medically unfit should be permitted to leave the meeting and seek appropriate medical care. Adeyemi stressed that the proposal was not politically motivated but focused on protecting lives.
“No political meeting, no matter how important, is more important than the life of a party member.”
Adeyemi also recalled another similar incident in Ijumu Local Government Area. He noted that former Commissioner for Special Duties, Yahaya Adesayo Ismail, had also reportedly slumped and died in January 2024. The former senator said the recurrence should encourage political leaders and organisations to examine possible preventive measures rather than simply mourn after each tragedy.
“We should not simply mourn and move on. We must ask ourselves what lessons can be learnt and what preventive measures can be put in place.”
Adeyemi extended his condolences to Solomon’s wife, children, relatives, friends, political associates and members of the APC in Ijumu. He prayed for strength for the family as they cope with the loss.
He also urged the party to find the courage to move forward despite the leadership vacuum created by Solomon’s death. Adeyemi said the incident should serve as a painful reminder to political leaders that human life must always take precedence over political activities.
