Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has confirmed the death of Ex-Governor Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, who died at the age of 71.
Seyi Makinde who took to his official social media handle on Wednesday 12th January 2022, to confirm the death, stated that:
“…i join the good people of Oyo State to mourn the passing of a former Governor of our dear state, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, which sad event took place today. May his soul rest in peace and may God grant his family the fortitude to bear this great loss,” he said.
He continued:
“I have directed that flags fly at half-mast in honour of Governor Alao-Akala, our brother, friend and illustrious son of Oyo State.
His Excellency will be remembered for his contributions to the development of Oyo State as Governor, especially for taking infrastructural development to other zones of the state outside Ibadan,” he added.
Alao-Akala died exactly one month after the demise of the Soun of Ogbomosho.
Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala was born on June 3, 1950, in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo State, and was a politician and former police officer.
He was a former Governor of Oyo State and a candidate of the ADP in the 2019 Governorship election in Oyo State.
He served as the Deputy Governor of Oyo State from May 2003 to January 2006.
Following the impeachment of then-incumbent Governor (Rashidi Ladoja), Alao-Akala was sworn into office as Governor in January 2006 and served for 11 months. In December 2006, the impeachment was overturned by the Supreme Court and Rashidi Ladoja was reinstated
Alao-Akala contested and won the gubernatorial election in 2007 under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and became the Executive Governor of Oyo state, serving a full term till May 2011.
In October 2018, he defected to the Action Democratic Party (ADP) where he won the gubernatorial ticket to contest for the office of Governor of Oyo State in the 2019 general elections.
After the 23rd February 2019 Presidential and National Assemblies Elections, Akala defected back to the All Progressive Congress, thereby stepping down in the race to become Governor of Oyo State under the platform of the Action Democratic Party.