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The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON ), Oyo State Chapter , has expressed sadness and regret over the death of its two key political leaders in the state, Samuel Farinu and Samuel Akindele.
In a condolence message signed by the its Chairman, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye , ALGON said the duo of Farinu and Akindele died when their wisdom and counsel are still needed by many Nigerians and the younger generation of politicians in the country, adding that they were servant leaders and unrelenting patriots.
Farinu, an Oyo-born politician, was the former state chairman of the defunct Action Congress (AC) which later transformed into Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) until 2010 when he handed over. Until his death, he remained a leader of the Progressive family in the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Akindele was the APC Chairman in Oyo Central Senatorial District until his demise. He was a prominent political leader from Oyo axis of the state.
“There is no doubt, Chief Akindele’s death has robbed the party, indeed Oyo State and Nigeria of a distinguished citizen, a patriot who served well. He was a man of conscience, character and courage, who played politics of convictions and respected party leader,who served the party ,the state and the Yoruba race passionately,” Abass-Aleshinloye said.
The ALGON boss described the duo as amiable, energetic,enterprising and highly resourceful politicians who demonstrated great love and passion for the development of their people.
“They believed in democratic principles, worked assiduously to advance them and ensured the will of people triumphed,” he said.
According to Abass-Aleshinloye: “As progressive minded elders,they were strong members of the Action Congress of Nigeria which later metamorphosed into our great party, APC. They were fiercely honest, almost to a fault and brilliant politicians, always exuding noble and creative ideas about how to move the country forward.
“The demise of the two politicians amounts to further depletion of the generation of politicians who believe that politics and governance are about service to the people. They will be sorely missed,” Abass-Aleshinloye added.
He prayed that God Almighty will grant the soul of the great politicians eternal rest and comfort their families, friends and political associates.