Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, has commiserated with the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), family and associates of late Chief Ajibola Owoade, who died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, on Tuesday.
Owoade, 73, was the party’s Director of Finance and Administration and a prominent state leader of the APC. He was survived by wives, children and grandchildren.
The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, on Thursday, described the death of the party’s stalwart as unfortunate, disheartening and sad.
Ajimobi, who said that he received the news of the death of the popular politician with a rude shock, stated that Owoade would be remembered for his commitment and dedication to the course of the party.
The governor said, “I recollect how Chief Owoade joined forces with the chairman of our great party, Chief Akin Oke, and other members of the state executive council to ensure our victory for an unprecedented second term during the 2015 gubernatorial election.
“He was a forthright gentleman and committed party leader. As the director of finance and administration, he handled his assignment with openness, transparency and fear of God. Chief Owoade was a very good man.
“We in the party loved him, but the Almighty has just demonstrated his superior love for him by calling him home. No doubt, he has left a huge vacuum at the party and family levels. May Almighty Allah give all of us close to him the fortitude to bear his death.”
The governor also noted that the late party chieftain devoted his time and political savvy to ensuring a more cohesive APC, adding that his wise counsel had been of tremendous help to his administration in recording its modest achievements.
He prayed that the Almighty grant the deceased Aljanah Firdaus, while the governor also beseeched God to give the family, associates as well as the APC the fortitude to bear the loss.