The minority leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly in the Second Republic, Chief Wole Oke is dead.
Oke, the Jagunmolu of Shao reportedly died in the early hours of Sunday at the age of 78.
A close ally of the deceased who is also a former lawmaker, Hon. AbdulMumini Katibi confirmed the passing of Oke to LEADERSHIP.
“Yes, Chief Wole Oke died in the early hours of Sunday. People have besieged his Fate area residence in Ilorin to sign the condolence register,” Katibi said.
Until his death, Oke who was highly reverred for his commitment to community development was a leader of the Elders Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara.
In a condolence message, Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed sadness over the death of Oke.
He described the former lawmaker as a prominent APC leader, second republic lawmaker, and a fine progressive.
The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye descibed Oke as a great statesman and community leader who peacefully pursued his causes with superior arguments and personal conviction.
“He will be sorely missed. He was a courageous, yet calm man who spoke truth to power. He was a forthright and blunt man whose position on issues is always clear,” he added.
AbdulRazaq commiserated with the Ohoro of Shao and the entire community, the family of the deceased, and members and leaders of the APC in Moro local government and Kwara State.
The governor asked God to give comfort to his family and everyone who mourns the late statesman.
The state’s chairman of APC, Prince Sunday Fagbemi described the late elder statesman as a rare gem.
“Chief Wole Oke is a pillar of peace, wisdom, and progress whose counsel leaves irreplaceable void in Kwara politics,” Fagbemi said.
The APC chairman described the deceased as an embodiment of honesty and a pivotal figure in the APC Elders’ Council, whose wisdom and solutions were instrumental during critical moments.
The former chairman, Board of Directors of Kwara State Television Service (KWTV), Alh Hameed Adio described Oke’s death as sad, shocking, devastating and absolutely depressing news.
“This is definitely the transition to glory of a quintessential statesman, a great community leader, a dogged fighter for the emancipation of his people and a very patriotic citizen,” Adio added.
