Breaking: First civilian Governor of Lagos state, Lateef Jakande dies at 91

The First civilian Governor of Lagos state, Lateef Jakande dies at 91. The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu confirmed the demise of the late Jakande.

In a tweet Thursday, Sanwo-olu wrote, “With gratitude to God for a worthy life well spent in the service of Lagos State, Nigeria and humanity, I announce the death of a venerable statesman, outstanding politician, public administrator and the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande”.

The late Jakande is known for his accomplishments in housing estates and prominent within the private developers and other real estate industry stakeholders community.

Alhaji (Dr) Lateef Kayode Jakande, was not only a past Governor of Lagos State, he was also a former Minister of Works and Housing.

Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (born 23 July 1929) is a former journalist who became governor of Lagos State in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983, and later was Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime (1993–98).

After the military take-over in 1983, Jakande was charged, prosecuted and convicted of treason, although later he was pardoned.

After being freed, he accepted the position of Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime, which earned him some criticism. He claimed that he had accepted the post under pressure from M. K. O. Abiola and other progressive leaders.

Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande became a senior member of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) when the UNPP and APP merged. In June 2002, he was “suspended” by a faction of the ANPP loyal to Chief Lanre Razaq.

Jakande was the first chairman of the Action Party of Nigeria (APN) when it was formed in November 2006. In May 2009, he was reported to be engaged a struggle for control of the party with his former ally, Dr. Adegbola Dominic.