Cross Udo with agency report
Since the demise of the late Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala prominent Nigerians, friends, and political associates have been mourning the Ogbomosho-born politician.
Prominent among political leaders who joined the multitude to mourn Alao-Akala are President Muhammed Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr.Kayode Fayemi, Ajimobi’s family, and a host of others.
The President extolled the virtues of the late Alao-Akala, saying that he served the country and the people of Oyo State with dedication.
President Buhari in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, commiserated with the Alao-Akala family, the government, and people of Oyo State on the passing of the
former governor of the State.
“As a former police officer and civilian governor with an extensive political career, the President affirms that Otunba Akala served the country and the people of Oyo State with dedication, making very important contributions to the development of institutions and
communities.
“The President trusts that family, friends, and associates who mourn the late governor, will honour his vision of entrenching good governance in the country and passion to lift the downtrodden in the society.”
President Buhari prayed God almighty to grant the departed eternal rest
and comfort those who mourn.
On his part, Tinubu acknowledged that the late Alao-Akala would “sorely” be missed by the people of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and the APC.
Tinubu said: “I received the news of the passing of the former governor of Oyo State, Chief Alao-Akala, with shock and deep sadness.
“Coming a month after the death of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi; the loss of Alao-Akala, another eminent son of Ogbomoso and Oyo State, is disheartening.
Tinubu said: Alao-Akala passed on when the state and particularly our
party, the All-Progressives Congress, needed his services.
He said that the late Alao-Akala died when his wisdom and experience were required to help resolve the leadership crisis in the state and wield the party together once again.
Also, Dr. Fayemi described late Alao-Akala as a colorful politician, pragmatic leader, and a man of the people in and out of office.
The governor who expressed shock over the death noted that Alao-Akala was in his usual high spirit during their last meeting and did not bear any sign of illness.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum described the deceased as an apostle of politics without bitterness and a leader whose interaction, influence, and the network cut across political divides.
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He said the deceased played a prominent role in ensuring that peace returned to the Oyo State Chapter of the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
Fayemi said the late Alao-Akala’s life was defined by service to the people first as a police officer, rising to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, and later as a politician, public servant, and elder statesman whose doors were always opened to the common man.
