The lawmaker representing Ibadan South East Constituency 2 in Oyo State House of Assembly Ademola Olusegun Popoola is dead.
The 46-year-old died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
He recently won a return ticket to fly the Peoples Democratic Party’s flag in the constituency.
Until his death, Popoola was the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
Confirming the development, Governor Seyi Makinde expressed shock over the death.
The Governor, who described the lawmaker’s death as sad, painful and a huge loss to the state, commiserated with the PDP.
He said: “The news of the death of my brother, Hon. Ademola Popoola, member representing Ibadan South-East II, is shocking and painful.
“Hon. Popoola’s death is a huge loss to the state, the House of Assembly and the PDP, on which platform he was elected into the House.
“He was a consummate lawmaker and an individual who was quite passionate about the development of the state. He gave his best efforts towards ensuring a harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislature arms of the state.
“As a testimony to his credentials as a lawmaker who truly served his people and a loyal party man, he was rewarded with a ticket to seek re-election into the State House of Assembly in the 2023 elections.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Oyo State, I commiserate with the Oyo State House of Assembly, the PDP family and the entire Popoola family on this sad loss.
“It is my prayer that God grants repose to his soul and gives everyone the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Oyo Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin described Popoola’s death as a grievous and heartbreaking news.
The speaker said: “The news of the death of one of the most active, vibrant and resourceful lawmakers in the 9th Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Ademola Popoola popularly called Popson came to me and everyone in the House as a rude shock.
“We are deeply saddened and grieved by this painful and untimely exit of one of us. This is unbearable. He was a patriotic, selfless and hardworking lawmaker who gave his best for the service of Oyo State House of Assembly, his constituents and indeed the entire people of Oyo State.”
Ogundoyin, who said he was personally distraught on hearing of the sad departure of Popoola stated that the incident was a bitter pill to swallow for everyone in the State Assembly. (Nation)