Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of the former Head of Service and member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Chief Akinsanya Sunny Ajose.
The Governor described the death of the All Progressives Congress (APC) apex leader in Badagry as a great loss to Lagos State, particularly the ruling party, considering his unique position as a retired public servant and one of the great mobilisers in the ruling party.
The Governor who also commiserated with GAC members, leaders, and members of APC in Lagos State, particularly in Badagry Division, said the demise of Chief Ajose has created a vacuum in the ruling party.
Ajose, the Head of Service during President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State and former Deputy Chairman of the APC in Lagos, died after a brief illness on Wednesday at 78 years.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday, described Chief Ajose as a seasoned administrator, a passionate leader, and a respected politician who served his people in Badagry, the ruling party, and Lagos State meritoriously during his lifetime.
He said: “The passing of Chief Sunny Ajose is a great loss to Lagos State, especially our party, the All Progressives Congress, because of the critical role the deceased was playing in the party before his death, both as a GAC member and the apex party leader in Badagry.
“Chief Ajose was an epitome of dedication and selflessness in public service. He contributed positively to the public service sector as Head of Service during the tenure of our leader, President Bola Tinubu, as the Governor of Lagos State. He also played an active role as a one time Special Adviser to the Governor (Governor’s Office) in Lagos State.
“Chief Sunny Ajose, as a consummate politician and committed grassroots leader, contributed immensely to the growth and development of our great party as Lagos APC Deputy Chairman. He was a trustworthy, devoted and progressive democrat.
“As a member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), I had the privilege of working with him directly on many issues relating to the development of Badagry and Lagos as a whole. His leadership in Lagos politics was exemplary.
“Chief Ajose will be missed dearly by his family, friends, and the entire political class, particularly GAC, chieftains, and members of the ruling party across Lagos State and Nigeria, especially in Badagry, where he was the apex leader before his death.
“I sympathise with GAC members, leaders, and members of APC over the death of one of our leaders. I pray that Almighty God is pleased with his soul and grants the immediate and political family, friends, and associates, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”