President Muhammadu Buahri, All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governors Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) have condoled with the Ekiti State government, family, friends and associates on the death of a former Ekiti State Speaker Funminiyi Afuye.
The ex-Speaker died on Wednesday at the age of 66.
In a statement in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari said the late Speaker had distinguished himself “as a key soldier for democracy and was widely admired as a humble grassroots political leader who relentlessly championed the interests of his people”.
The prayed for the repose of his soul and fortitude on the part of his family, friends, admirers and the entire people of the state in bearing the loss.
In a statement by Mr. Tunde Rahman of his Media Office, Asiwaju Tinubu said the late Afuye was an astute political leader who served not only his state of Ekiti with honour, dignity and commitment to good governance but also showed uncommon fidelity to progressive politics and ideals.
“The sad and unfortunate death of Funminiyi Afuye, one of our shining lights in the progressive family in the Southwest and Nigeria, came to me as a shock.
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“No one could have imagined he would leave us so soon. He was very active and we indeed exchanged pleasantries at the inauguration of the new governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, only this past Sunday in Ado-Ekiti.
“I offer my deepest sympathy and condolences to his wife, children, the government and people of Ekiti State, and his colleagues at the State House of Assembly. We should all take solace in the fact that Funminiyi Afuye played his role well and remained faithful till the end to the ideals of good governance and service to our people.
“His departure at this time is personally painful to me because of our long association over the years.
“I pray to God Almighty to comfort his loved ones and grant his soul eternal rest,” the statement said.
Also, Houses of Assembly Speakers Kayode Ojo (Ekiti), Mudashiru Obasa (Lagos) and Matthew Kolawole (Kogi) commiserated with Ekiti State Governor Oyebanji, the government, the House of Assembly and people of Ekiti State on Afuye’s death.
The Ekiti State chapter of the ruling APC expressed shock at Afuye’s death.
A statement in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, conveyed the condolence message to the governor, the House of Assembly, the bereaved family, APC members and the residents over the former Speaker’s death.