President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the Government and people of Ekiti State in mourning the passing of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, who died on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, aged 66 years.
In a statement from his office, President Buhari said the late Speaker had distinguished himself as a key soldier for democracy and was widely admired as a humble grassroots political leader who relentlessly championed the interests of his people.
“He served the State and its people diligently and devoted his life to uplifting common good,” said the President.
He prayed for the repose of his soul and fortitude on the part of his family, friends, admirers and the entire people of the State in bearing the loss.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, said Afuye died on Wednesday evening at the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, where he was receiving treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The late Speaker, 66, was a former Commissioner, Ekiti State Ministry of Information and two-time member of the State Assembly.
“He was inaugurated Speaker of the sixth Assembly on June 6, 2019,” Oyebode said.
Meanwhile, the State House of Assembly, in a statement by Mrs Yemisi Ayokunle, the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, said that the late speaker died during a brief illness.
Ayokunle said that the assembly has declared a seven-day mourning period in his honor.
She said that it was also directed that flag in the Assembly complex should be flown at half mast.
Ayokunle described late Afuye as “an embodiment of courage, excellence and a highly committed man to public service” adding that he would be greatly missed