By Adeyemi Adeleye

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South West zone on Tuesday said that late party’s women leader, Mrs Kemi Nelson died when  most needed for the  2023 general elections.

Leading the APC zonal executives on a condolence visit to Nelson’s residence in Lagos State, Mr Isaacs Kekemeke, the National Vice Chairman of APC (South-West) said the party needed the late politician’s experience in mobilising women for APC in the forthcoming general elections.

“For us in the zone, we have lost a mother, friend, sister and associate. All we can do is to pray God to give us grace to bear this loss. It is not only a loss to you as family, it is a loss to us as party.

“Chief Kemi Nelson came, saw, added value and impacted humanity. Our party in Lagos state,  in the zone and Nigeria lost a woman of reputation, who was brilliant, intellectual, loyal, faithful, capable, sociable and committed to whatever cause she believed in.

“She left when we needed her most but the legacy she left behind will continue to be a guide to us,” Kekemeke, the APC chairman in the South West, said.

According to her, the zone considers it very important to come and sympathise with the family and to assure them of the  party’s readiness to be part of the funeral arrangements.

Kekemeke added that late Nelson was a very committed party woman leader with a trademark.

The APC boss added: “She was a role model to all women in the party and she fought to find a place for the women folk for politics of the party and in the nation.

“She was in the business of mobilising women in the zone and Nigeria for our party.

“With the kind of experience she had, this is the time to tap from her knowledge and experience in our crusade, struggle and campaign to win the next round of elections.

“She will not physically be able to give that, but spiritually we will be guided by what she said, what she stood for and how she did it.”

Also speaking, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, the APC  Zonal Organising Secretary , added that late Nelson led an examplary life, hence the need to celebrate her memories for a life well spent.

“Mrs Nelson stood  for everything that is good. We are at this level because of her contributions to the party and to Nigeria. We will forever miss her for giving the women folk a voice.

“She stood her ground and made sure our women get a voice . Today, the party has established that wherever you give two slots out, one must be a woman , that is because women like that fought for it.

“We will continue to miss her because she did her best for us,”Ibirogba said.

Responding for the family, Mr Adedamola Kasunmu, who represents Ikeja Constituency II in the Lagos state House of Assembly, said  the family had lost a great mother.

Kasunmu said: “We, as children, know that Nigeria lost a great woman. We lost a mother who left indelible footprints.We appreciate your coming.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that sympathisers have continued to throng the Lagos home of the  late APC women leader, who died on July 17.

Nelson, a former commissioner in Lagos state, was appointed the Executive Director, Nigerian Insurance Trust Fund by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

Until her death, she was a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council, the highest decision making body of the APC in Lagos state.

Before her death, Nelson was the Yeye Oge of Lagos state and one of the right-hand loyalists of the APC presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu.

(NAN)