Ovie Okpare, Warri
Condolence messages on Tuesday trailed
the death of Chief Francis Okpozo, a Second Republic senator and a top
chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the South-South, who died
on Monday after a brief illness.
Okpozo, 84, who died in an undisclosed
hospital on Monday, was born in Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government
Area of Delta State and was one of the leading voices of the APC from
the geopolitical zone.
His death was confirmed to our correspondent by a relative of the deceased.
The late octogenarian was also a
one-time member of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Deputy Speaker
of the defunct Bendel State House of Assembly before emerging the
senator representing Delta South Senatorial District in the Senate.
Meanwhile, the state Governor, Dr.
Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed sadness over Okpozo’s death, describing the
late senator as a consistent critic who brought the challenges of the
Niger Delta region to the front burner of national discourse.
Okowa, while commiserating with the
people of Isoko and the family of the deceased, noted that Okpozo was “a
great man whose contributions to the literary world can best be
described as legendary, inspirational and worthy of emulation.”
The governor’s statement, signed by his
Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said, “Governor Okowa
recalls that Senator Francis Okpozo was a vocal voice in the Senate and
until his death he remained a consistent critic and commentator on
national issues.
“He affirms that the then senator,
served his country and humanity with all his God-given strength and
talent, noting that the distinguished senator was a worthy leader in the
Niger Delta. The late Senator Okpozo will be well remembered for
redefining the place of service and patriotism in Nigeria’s
development.”
Okowa prayed God to grant Okpozo’s immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Also, the Minority Leader of the House
of Representatives, who is representing the Isoko nation, Mr. Leo Ogor,
described the demise of the APC chieftain as a great loss and one that
came at a time it was least expected.
Ogor, who spoke with our correspondent
on the telephone on Tuesday, said, “We, the people of Isoko nation, are
mourning the demise of our leader and pacesetter. His death was a great
loss to our people who I represent. We are in shock and pain because he
brought us pride as a lawmaker.
“He’s a famous legislator who brought
pride to Delta State and Nigeria as he used his political experience to
liberate our people. He trained Isoko and Delta youths without expecting
anything in return. This is a major loss to the Isoko nation.”
Reacting to Okpozo’s death, the Delta
State Chairman of the APC, Prophet Jones Erue, said, “I am shocked to my
bone marrow because no one saw it coming. Our leader was an astute
politician and an elder statesman who will be greatly missed. I am
particularly pained because he was one of those who inspired my career
in politics. May his gentle soul rest in peace!”
On his part, the Executive Director,
Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission, Samuel Adjogbe, said
Okpozo’s death was a great loss to the APC, especially in Delta State,
where he had been picked to lead the party to victory in the 2019
governorship poll.
Adjogbe said, “Why now that we need Papa
Okpozo to help reposition our great party for victory in 2019? Why
should the cold hands of death do this to us in Delta APC at this
critical stage of our political restructuring? May his kind soul rest in
the bosom of our Lord Jesus.”
While expressing his condolence, Chief
Ayiri Emami also said, “Senator Okpozo will be missed. His shoes are too
big for any of us to wear. He was a perfect gentleman and an
experienced politician.”
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