Buhari joins others to mourn the passing of former Oyo Gov
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Adebayo Alao-Akala died at 71 on Wednesday, nearly 11 years after his second stint as Oyo Governor between May 29, 2007 and May 29, 2011. He had first ruled the state for one year, between January 12, 2006 and December 12, 2006.
As usual, encomiums have been pouring in for the man even though his reign in the oldest South West state was tumultuous.
President Muhammadu Buhari joined Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB) Chairman Nureni Adeniran to express their condolences.
Buhari
Buhari said Alao-Akala, “as a former police officer and civilian governor with an extensive political career,” served the country and the people of Oyo State “with dedication, making very important contributions to the development of institutions and communities.”
He expressed confidence that family, friends, and associates who mourn him will “honour his vision of entrenching good governance in the country and passion to lift the downtrodden in the society.”
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Sanwo-Olu
“Alao-Akala’s shocking demise has opened a deep sore in the hearts of the people of Oyo State and Nigerians, who looked up to him as a rallying point and a political stabiliser,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He sympathised with his family and urged them to take heart, noting that his service to the people of Ogbomoso, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole “will remain his enduring legacy.”
His death “hurts me because of the critical role he was playing in Oyo APC [All Progressives Congress] before his demise. My heart was filled with grief when I was informed about his death.
“Alao-Akala was more than a politician. He was a man of many parts, whose managerial skills and experience are required at this critical period in our national life, especially in our party, APC ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“He served Oyo State passionately first as a Deputy Governor and later as Governor. He did his best in contributing his quota to the growth and development of Ogbomoso as council chairman as well as Oyo State as a Governor.
“He also made his mark in the Nigeria Police where he retired as Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1995 before venturing into politics.”
Sanwo-Olu commiserated with his family and urged them to take heart, saying: ‘‘The death of loved ones is usually one of the most painful episodes in peoples’ lives but we must realise that death is inevitable.
“We all will die someday. Therefore, we must muster enough strength to carry on.”
Adeniran
Adeniran said he “recalls with nostalgia” how his relationship with Alao-Akala started during their days as council chairmen in the state.
“Alao-Akala was a good brother, friend and leader to me. We both started as local Government chairmen. He served as Chairman, Ogbomosho North, while I served as the Chairman, Ibadan South-West.”
He described Alao-Akala as “an uncommon patriot who contributed immensely to the development of politics in Oyo State.
“He was a leader and an uncommon patriot who understood the political terrain in Oyo State. His knowledge of Oyo politics was profound and remarkable …. [his] death is indeed a personal loss to me.”
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