Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, received the news of the death of former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, with utter sadness.
The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, described the demise of the former Deputy Governor is a huge loss to the progressive family, Ekiti State and the country at large.
He is personally touched and feels the sense of a great loss. Aside his political bond with the late Egbeyemi whom he fondly referred to as ABA, the Governor recalls their shared communality and brotherliness in their days at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State prior to their venture into politics.
Governor Akeredolu described the late Egbeyemi as a stabilizer and loyal politician who made remarkable contributions to the development of his state.
He commiserated with Egbeyemi’s immediate family, the government and people of Ekiti State and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Governor said:”Baba Egbeyemi was a dependable politician. He was a peaceful man who excelled as a Deputy Governor. He served meritoriously and gave his all to the service of his state.
“An elder statesman whose fatherly role and wise counseling would be missed by all in the progressives family. He will be long remembered for his immeasurable services to the people.
“ABA was a gentleman par excellence. In his lifetime, he demonstrated a high level of dignity and patriotism while in office.
“His passage prods remarkably nostalgic moments. Although he was much older, I used to address him simply as Bisi during our days in the University. He never made age an issue between us. It was until we left the University and I realised he was far older than me that I started calling him ABA, which he duly deserved. He was a man of extreme humility.
“Although, death is inevitable. The reality of Baba Egbeyemi’s passage hurts the heart. But we take solace in the quality life he lived. He served without blemish.”
The Governor prayed God to grant the deceased peaceful rest and comfort his children and the entire family in this moment of grief and loss.
