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Words have been eluding us in the Ekiti State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC since we’re inundated with the sudden death of our brother and compatriot, Senator Gbenga Aluko.
This was contained in a statement signed by the APC Publicity Secretary in Ekiti State, Mr. Segun Dipe.
The statement partly read: “We cannot easily describe our feelings right now. The technocrat-turned-politician, who was very dear to us in our party, slumped and died in seconds on Saturday 20 November 2021, without showing any initial sign of frailty.
“We can’t just find the right words to describe this loss. Our late brother was not just any politician to us. He was an accomplished one. He was such a debonair politician, who would hardly sit on the fence, but would make his impact felt wherever he pitches his tent. He was ever ready to accept any role and put himself forward in ensuring that the party attains a dizzying height.
“Born Daniel Olugbenga Aluko to Professor Sam Aluko, a prominent Nigerian Economist from Ode Ekiti, on 20 July 1963, Senator Aluko was a Nigerian politician of note. He attended Federal Government College, Ilorin, and was admitted to the University of Benin, where he graduated in 1982 with a degree in Geography and Regional Planning.
“He went on to the College of Energy and Petroleum Studies, Oxford, England for a Post Graduate Course in International Oil Trading and Pricing. Between 1983 and 1999 he held several top private-sector positions, including Managing Director/CEO of HYGYNIX, Executive Director of Baseline Petroleum and Chemicals and Executive Chairman of Independent Strategists. He was later appointed as Special Assistant to the Minister of Transport and Aviation and General Manager of Nigeria Shipper’s Council from 1993 to 1995.
“He was elected Senator for the Ekiti South constituency of Ekiti State, Nigeria at the start of the Nigerian Fourth Republic, running on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform.
“No sooner had he taken his seat in the Senate in June 1999 than late Aluko was appointed to committees on Selection, Senate Services (vice-chairman), Aviation, Women Affairs, Finance & Appropriation, Social Development & Sports and Local & Foreign Debts.
“He was later appointed Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate and afterwards Vice Chairman of the Gas Committee and Chairman of the Petroleum Committee, among other notable roles he performed at the Senate.
“The tragedy struck on Saturday, November 20, 2021 when Gbenga collapsed in his Abuja office and was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead due to an undisclosed illness.
“We in the Ekiti State Chapter of the APC will not forget our late brother in a hurry. He will be sorely missed and forever remembered for his giantile role, especially as he aspired to govern our State, when in 2018 he contested along with other 31 aspirants for the much-coveted seat but eventually lost to Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, who later emerged as the current Governor of our State.
“While it’s not easy to express how we feel right now with the untimely death, it is important for us to reach out in sympathy to his immediate family, community and other admirers.
“As they would say in Latin: _Te acompaño en estos momentos de gran tristeza,_ we share this great moment of sadness with you all.
“Even though we know that there is joy in the homegoing, the sorrow in the loss of our beloved compatriot cannot be wished away. Nevertheless, we take solace in the fact that our brother and party faithful lived a fulfilled life, though relatively short.
“Our party, the APC, in Ekiti State is keeping everyone mourning Senator Aluko in our thoughts and prayers while assuring of ensuring a befitting burial for him”.
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