The Ekiti state governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed shock on the death of the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Paul Omotoso, who passed on Tuesday night.
The governor in a statement by his special adviser on media, Yinka Oyebode, said he was shocked and devastated by the news of the demise of the party chairman because he did not show any sign of illness during their last meeting.
Governor Oyebanji said he is yet to come to terms with the demise of the APC chairman and described Omotoso as a dependable brother and ally, who was a great and invaluable asset to the APC family as well as the government.
He said Omotoso would be eternally remembered as the first party chairman in the state to achieve a back-to-back victory for a party in the political history of Ekiti state.
Governor Oyebanji said the deceased’s selflessness and sacrifices contributed to the internal cohesion which made the Ekiti APC an unstoppable election winning machine in local government, state and national elections conducted during his chairmanship.
This, he said, was made possible by Omotoso’s administrative acumen, diligence, maturity, managerial and diplomatic skills as well as conflict resolution ingenuity which he deployed in managing the affairs of the party and its teeming members.
The governor noted that Omotoso was a man of impact endowed with wisdom which he brought to bear in party and state matters as he was always ready to offer his wise counsel at critical points when such was needed.
The state helmsman noted that Omotoso excelled in the previous public offices he held including special adviser on Legal Matters, special adviser on Political Matters, Commissioner for Environment and Commissioner for Special Duties.
Governor Oyebanji added that the deceased’s stellar performance as the APC state secretary contributed immensely to his emergence as the state chairman for two terms, noting that these speak volumes about his loyalty, commitment, integrity and competence.
