Governor Fayemi Mourns Gbenga Aluko

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has said that the news of the death of the former Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, Mr Gbenga Aluko is “shocking and devastating.”

Gbenga Aluko, one of the children of the reknowned Economist, late Prof Sam Aluko, slumped in his office in Abuja on Saturday and died. He was aged 58.

He was among those that contested 2018 Governorship primary with Governor Fayemi. He was also reported to be preparing for forthcoming election as a Governorship aspirant.

Dr Fayemi, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described Aluko’s death as a colossal loss to Ekiti State and the Nation.

“I have lost a dear brother and friend. Senator Aluko’s death is not only a loss to the State but a personal loss to me.”

The Governor added that he had close and cordial relationship with the deceased spanning four decades.

Dr Fayemi stated that the late Gbenga Aluko was not only a brother and friend but also a patriotic Ekiti indigene whose contributions to the development of the State cannot be overstated.

He described the former Governorship aspirant as a successful private sector player, refined gentleman and a decent politician who made great impact in almost every aspect of life.

The Governor recalled how the deceased influenced the establishment of a Chest Clinic at the Oba Adejugbe General Hospital in Ado Ekiti, a project which he described as being of great benefit to the State’s health sector.

He also noted that the deceased served selflessly in the Ekiti State Covid- 19 Response Committee.

The Governor who pointed out that with the  deceased’s brilliance and generosity of spirit, he served his fatherland diligently and made Ekiti proud through numerous achievements.

“Senator Gbenga Aluko invested his time, resources and energy on many laudable initiatives that impacted positively on the lives of the people and was always ready to support any worthy Ekiti cause with his wealth of experience and extensive national and global contacts.

“For us in Ekiti, this is a huge loss. And it is a personal loss to me. We, however,  cannot question God but we are consoled by the fact that he lived a decent life of service and made great impact in the lives of the people. He shall be sorely missed.

“On behalf of my wife, the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the Aluko family and pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Late Gbenga Aluko, was elected into the Senate of the Federal Republic  in 1999 at the age of 36 years on the ticket of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP).