The Grand Council of Yoruba Youths (GCYY) has described the late former Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State as a political phenomenon.
The President-General, GCYY, Mr Bamiji Awa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that the news of Alao-Akala’s death was touching, shocking and highly devastating.
NAN recalls that Alao-Akala died at his Ogbomoso residence on Wednesday at the age of 71.
“This was somebody that took over the Oyo state leadership of the APC not quite long due to the demise of the former party leader and former Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, only for him to take his own final bow at a point the preparation for the general election is gaining momentum.
“As a crowd puller and leader of thought, Alao-Akala will be remembered for good.
“He lived a good life worthy of emulation in spite of the alleged controversial taking over the seat of governor of Oyo state, after the impeachment of his boss, former Gov. Rasheed Ladoja.
“Like millions of others across the globe, he was one of the fans of GCYY who always made sure he got informed regularly through our famous and endless broadcast,” Awa said.
He commended the late governor for the appointment given to one of the group’s late mentors, Mr Adebayo Faleti, as Head of Culture Centre, Mokola, Ibadan.
According to him, this will forever be remembered as well as Alao-Akala’s contribution toward Faleti’s burial ceremony.
“I got to know him as Omo Olokun Esin in his letterhead paper through which he communicated his condolence message to the bereaved Faleti family.
“May God Almighty grant his soul sweet repose, forgive him all his shortcomings and grant him paradise.
“He was a political phenomenon,” the youth leader added.
Also speaking, Mr Segun Aribike, a former Editor-in-Chief, NAN, and close friend of the deceased, described the news of the Ogbomoso-born politician as sad and devastating.
Aribike said that though Alao-Akala’s death was sudden and painful, friends of the deceased were thankful to God for the huge impact made on masses and the state.
Alao-Akala was also a former deputy commissioner of Police, former local government chairman and a former deputy governor of Oyo state. (NAN)
