Osun politician, Debo Badru, to be laid to rest on Wednesday

By Ibidapo Balogun

The remains of Alhaji Debo Badru, a prominent Osun State politician and socialite, will be laid to rest on Wednesday in his hometown of Iwo.

According to family sources who spoke to Western Post, the burial will take place at 4 p.m. at his residence, following Islamic rites.

Badru, who passed away on Tuesday morning at the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi, Abuja, was 63 years old. His body was transported from Abuja to Ibadan on a chartered flight and then conveyed by ambulance to Iwo.

The late Badru had been hospitalized after his health deteriorated suddenly last week. He had planned to travel to the United States for medical treatment, a trip for which he had already secured tickets for himself and his wife.

Badru was a significant figure in Nigerian politics, particularly in Iwo and Osun State. His political journey began in the early 1990s after a distinguished career in the Nigerian Air Force. He was an associate of the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the first civilian governor of Osun State, and served during Adeleke’s administration, which lasted only 22 months.

A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Iwo, Badru later joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he became an ally of former Osun State governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola. During Oyetola’s administration from 2018 to 2022, Badru served as Political Adviser for Osun West and maintained a close relationship with Oyetola, who now serves as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

A devout Muslim, Badru was deeply involved in the propagation of Islam in Nigeria. He held the title of Maiyegun Musulumi of Iwoland until his death.

His passing has left a void in the political and religious communities, with many of his followers and associates expressing profound grief at the news of his demise.