Mustapha said this in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Mr Dapo Okubanjo, on Wednesday in Abuja while commiserating with the family and people of Ogbomosho and the government of Oyo State over Alao-Akala`s demise.

Mustapha, the Turaki of Ilorin, expressed shock over Alao-Akala`s death, saying that he was a revered politician who was committed to the development of Ogbomoso and Oyo State.

“We have lost a focused political giant with grassroots appeal whose contribution to politics is still needed at a time that the party is reinventing itself in the state and also on the national stage.

“He has always been a stabilising force who believed in party supremacy and has been contributing his quota to APC development at all levels.

“But we have no choice than to accept the will of God and commiserate with the government and people of Oyo State, as well as the Alao-Akala family for this great loss,’’ he said.

Mustapha prayed for the repose of soul of Alao-Akala and urged APC members in the state to bear the loss of one of its leaders with fortitude.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alao-Akala, a chieftain of the APC who died at the age of 71, was governor of Oyo State between 2007 and 2011.

Born on June 3, 1950, at Ogbomoso in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Akala had his elementary school education at Osupa Baptist Day School, Ogbomoso before proceeding to Kamina Barracks Middle School, 5th Battalion of Infantry in Tamale, Ghana.

Alao-Akala, who retired as an Assistant Commissioner of Police in the Nigeria Police Force, died in the early hours of Wednesday. (NAN)