Double Tragedy: Akure LG Loses Chairman, Vice Chairman in Three Days

Ilesanmi AdekanbiJuly 17, 2023

2 minutes read

The people of Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State are in a state of shock and grief following the deaths of their Chairman, Bankole Ogbesetore, and Vice Chairman, Anthony Adebusola, in a space of three days.

Ogbesetore, who was 57 years old, died on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the Federal Medical Centre in Owo after battling with an undisclosed ailment. He was a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former Special Adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Political Matters.

Adebusola, who was 55 years old, died on Sunday, July 16, 2023, at a hospital in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

He was said to have been suffering from an undisclosed illness for some time. He was sworn in as the acting chairman of the council on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, following the demise of Ogbesetore. He was also a member of the APC and a former councillor in the local government area.

The deaths of the council chairman and vice chairman have plunged the people of Akure North LG into mourning. They are both said to have been dedicated public servants who worked hard to improve the lives of the people in the area.

A former Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development in the state, Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, who confirmed the deaths of Adebusola and Ogbesetore on his Facebook page, described them as loyal and committed party men who served the people of Akure North with passion and zeal. He prayed for the repose of their souls and comfort for their families.

He wrote: “It is on a sad note, painful and pathetic that I’m here again to announce the tragic death of our council Vice Chairman, Hon Anthony Adebusola. This unfortunate death occurred yesterday after a brief illness. Painful that we lost both our elected council chairman and his amiable loyal vice chairman within one week.”

The Ondo State Government has not issued any official statement on the deaths of the council chairman and vice chairman as at the time of filing this report.

However, the acting Governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, had paid a condolence visit to the residence of Ogbesetore last week and commiserated with his family and political associates.

He described Ogbesetore as a loyal and dependable ally who contributed immensely to the development of Akure North and Ondo State at large. He said his death was a great loss to the state and the APC.

He also urged the people of Akure North to remain calm and peaceful in the face of the tragedy. He assured them that the state government would do everything possible to ensure that they are not left in a vacuum.

He said: “We are here to condole with you on the demise of our brother and friend. He was a loyal and dependable ally who worked tirelessly for the development of Akure North and Ondo State. His death is a great loss to us all.

“We urge you to take solace in God and be strong for his children and family. We also urge you to remain calm and peaceful in this trying period. The state government will not abandon you. We will do everything possible to ensure that you are not left in a vacuum.”