Akintunde Jacobs, Taiwo Bankole, and Abimbola Abatta
Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, in their separate condolence statements on Wednesday, mourned the death of former Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala.
Akala, who served as the governor of Oyo state between 2007 and 2011, died on Wednesday in his hometown of Ogbomosho, at the age of 71.
While recalling his relationship with Akala, Akeredolu said he was a dependable friend.
Governor Akeredolu, in a statement made available to Nigerian NewsDirect on Wednesday in Akure by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, while noting that the news of Akala’s death came as a rude shock, lamented that the Southwest, especially Oyo State has lost a giant and quintessential politician who was committed to friendship, progress and development of the society till the end.
The statement read, “The finality of death is a hard reality to deal with. Notwithstanding, it is a puzzle that only God understands. He giveth and taketh. Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala did not bid us farewell. We were not prepared to lose him now. The news of his demise came as a rude shock. It is, indeed, a piercing pain.
“More than mere emotional flashes, we reflect on the time and moments we have shared, the struggles we all partook. Our wins and constant hope together. His death causes a deafening silence in our heart. It is a big blow dealt on us.
“As a former Governor, Akala did his best by contributing immensely to the growth of the pacesetter state. Under his reign, the people witnessed development in all ramifications. He was a man that loved his people.
“Akala was a strong pillar of our great party, the APC, in Oyo State. He played the elderly role by stabilising the party in the state. His death is a huge loss to the APC.”
According to him, late Akala served Oyo state meritoriously, having served as deputy Governor, and then, Governor of the state.
“On behalf of my wife, Betty, government and the good people of Ondo State, I commiserate with Chief Akala’s wife, Kemi; his children; and the entire family as well as the government and the people of Oyo State, particularly, Ogbomoso. May God Almighty grant him eternal Peace,” Akeredolu said.
Similarly, Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, in a condolence statement signed by Kunle Somorin, his Chief Press Secretary, said Akala’s passing was not only shocking, but sudden and painful.
He lamented that death took the former police chief at a time the progressive family in Oyo needed him most, not only as a chieftain but a bridge builder.
Abiodun, who said Akala’s tenure as the Number One citizen of the Pacesetter State, witnessed unprecedented infrastructural development, noted he will be greatly missed.
“The news of the demise of the former Governor Alao-Akala came to me as a rude shock. Yes, we are all mortals, but his death, which is sudden to me, came at a time the APC in Oyo needed his exemplary leadership.
“Apart from being a fine police office, a grassroots mobiliser and a consummate politician, Akala’s sterling performance as a governor cannot be forgotten. He will be sorely missed by progressives family, in Oyo and beyond.
“On behalf of my family and the people of Ogun state, I express my sincere condolence to the immediate family of the former governor, my Oyo state counterpart, the APC family and the people of Oyo. I pray his soul find repose in the bosom of Lord,” Abiodun was quoted to have stated in the statement.
On his part, Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, described the death of Alao-Akala, as a rude shock.
The Governor equally commiserated with his Oyo State counterpart, Engineer Seyi Makinde, over the demise of his predecessor.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, Governor Oyetola said he was pained and saddened by the sudden demise of the former Oyo political leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The Governor condoled Akala’s family, his political associates, government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incident.
He described Akala’s death as a personal loss because the deceased was “a good friend of Osun who was always ready to identify with our government and celebrate our humble accomplishments and achievements.”
Oyetola recalled the laudable role Akala played during the resolution of the age-long battle between Oyo and Osun over the joint ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, and gracing the State’s 30th Anniversary Banquet and Awards which held last year.
He stated that the late Ogbomoso-born politician was an unassuming elder statesman and a seasoned political leader whose reputation is worth emulating, adding that he would be remembered for his Administration’s strides in Oyo.
“On behalf of my family, government and people of Osun, I commiserate with the family of late Otunba Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akala, his political associates, friends as well as the governor and government and people of Oyo State.
“I pray that God grants him eternal rest and watches over the family and loved ones he left behind,” Oyetola said.