Oyegun, APC chairman

Jethro Ibileke/Benin
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Thursday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Board of Trustees (BoT) member of the party, Senator Francis Okpozo.

Chief Oyegun who led political associates of the late politician, described him as a great politician who was totally dedicated to the oneness and progress of the country, who ensured that things could be done better.

He noted that though Okpozo played much of his politics in Delta State, he is a father mourned nationally, adding that he left a good name behind.

“I came to share with you, to empathize with you over the passage of a great politician. All through his political life, he was always left of the centre.

“He‎ was a man totally dedicated to the oness of the country, progress of the country, who ensured that things could be done better. It is no surprise that the President was one of the first to express his condolences.

“We indeed have a father who is mourned nationally even when most of his politics was in Delta,” Chief Oyegun said.

The APC National Chairman while asking God to console the wife and fill the gap her husband left behind, also prayed Him to enable the family to honour the name their patriach left behind.

“We want to assure you that you did have a father who was appreciated, who committed himself and whose commitment was noticed”, Chief Oyegun added.

The senior daughter of the late Senator, Mrs Onome Agbonla, who responded on behalf of the family, commended the APC Chairman for his relevance in the politics of the country. She described the visit as a justification that Oyegun was indeed a friend to their father.

“For us as a family, we really appreciate your visit to this family.‎ I remember when you were a governor of Edo State and am happy that today you are still relevant in politics and in the helm of affairs of your party.

“My father was part of the political struggle, I believe that struggle continues even now that he is no more.

“We are thankful for the words coming from you and it shows that you are our father and also our father’s friend,” Mrs Agbonla said.

In aa related development, the Chief Oyegun also paid a condolence visit to the residence of Late Deaconess Iyose Ogbodu, also known as ‘Mama SDP’ who according to Oyegun was one of those who made him governor.

“I’m sure you know how close your mother and I were. She was one of the people who carried me at that time I was governor of Edo State. She was our women leader in the time of SDP.

“I can say without fear of contradiction that she is one of the generous human being that I have come across. I am here with a team who worked with her during those wonderful days of SDP when politics was innocent.

“She followed us all over right from Bendel to Edo state including the riverine areas,” Chief Oyegun said.

‎He was accompanied on the visits by his former Deputy, Rev. Peter Obadan and Mr. Gabriel Onabaifo, former State Organising Secretary of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in defunct Bendel State.