By Ayodele Oni
Putting aside political differences and party affliation, Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, joined numerous mourners to mourn Mr Adedayo Omolafe, a member House of Representatives, who died on Sunday.
Until his death Mr Omolafe a member of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) was a former Local Government Chairman and represented Akure North and South in the Green Chamber.
He was reported to have slumped at his Akure residence on Sunday and died before medical help could come.
A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olabode, stated that the Governor received the news of the death of a Member of the House Representatives with a heavy heart and rude shock.
Describing the news of the death as devastating, Governor Akeredolu pointed out that the reality was too difficult to accept, considering that no news of illness was heard about the late lawmaker before his sudden death.
The Governor while recalling his interactions with Adedayo as one of the members of the Green Chamber from the Sunshine State, noted his candour and urbane character.
“Like every mortal, Expensive, as he was Popularly called, is gone in fulfillment of the mankind’s inescapable debt.
“It is painful that such a bright star is gone too soon. For our dear State, this is a big blow dealt by the ugly sting of death. It is a devastating tragedy.
“The late Adedayo was committed to the service of his people, having served as an elected Executive Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area in 2004 and subsequently achieving his desire to represent his people at the National Assembly.
“He was renowned for his generosity, touching lives and making people smile with his act of giving. Adedayo has a track record of service to his people. He was a grassroot politician. His death is a great loss to Akure kingdom and the State in general.
The Governor commiserated with the National Assembly, the people of Akure, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
“Even with a heavy heart, the Governor particularly condoles the immediate family of the deceased while urging them to take solace in the legacy of his good deeds, especially his philanthropic gestures while he was here.
“May the Almighty God grant him eternal rest and keep him in his bosom.”
The state PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr Kenedy Peretei, said that “Everyone will die one day or another. But some departures are too much to bear. The sudden and tragic demise of Hon. Omolafe Adedayo, popularlly known as Expensive is difficult to accept, especially when he was not sick.
“Expensive had been a constant political star since he was elected as Executive Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area in 2004 under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“He was the State Co-ordinator of Sure-P program under former President Goodluck Jonathan. His dream to represent Akure South/ Akure North Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives did not come to fruition since 2007.
“Now that he became elected in 2019, on the platform of PDP, the cold hand of death has extinguished this bright star at the middle of his tenure.
“The Peoples Democratic Party, Ondo State Chapter is pained. We cannot find the exact words to convey the extent of our grief.
“The exit of Expensive is a collosal and irreparable loss to our party in Akure Federal Constituency and the entire PDP in the State.
“Hon. Omolafe Adedayo is a household name in Akure. His footprints on the sands of time are indelible.
“Our party commiserates with his wife, children, and indeed the extended family. May God in His infinite mercies grant him bliss in the world beyond.”
