January 12, (THEWILL) – Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi has described the death of former Oyo State Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala as an absolutely unexpected and sad event.
Farounbi in a release issued Wednesday, said “The death of former Governor Adebayo Alao- Akala is absolutely an unexpected and sad event. Certainly, it’s one death that Oyo State and Nigeria do not need now. He was such a humble and likeable character, who was a lover of all, irrespective of class and social status.
“As Local Government Chairman, he served the people of Ogbomoso very well, and gave them socio-economic development.
Beyond his expectations, he became a Deputy Governor, when all he wanted was a second term as Chairman.
He managed adroitly the political situation that made him a Governor, during the impeachment period of his erstwhile boss and brother, Governor Ladoja. I remember now the hours both he and Governor Ladoja spent one evening in my humble abode in Bodija rebuilding a relationship that predated politics.
“He subsequently became substantive Governor of Oyo State. That he was able to break the iron-clad hold of Ibadan in Oyo State Governorship is an eloquent testimony to his high political intelligence and close relationship with the masses of Oyo State.
As Governor, he did not let the people down. He did very well and remained a great man of the people.”
Farounbi commiserates with Akala’s good family, Governor and the people of Oyo State on the loss of this political giant.
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
