Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has described the death of former Ondo State governor, Chief Olusegun Agagu, as a painful loss to the country, to Ondo State, which he served for years, and to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Akpabio, who is also the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, stated this in a release signed by his Special Assistant Media, Mr. Jackson Udom, and made available to newsmen. He noted that “Agagu was a revered leader whose wealth of experience would have been effective in reclaiming the South-west states for the PDP.”

“I am shocked by this death. It is a great loss to the country because he was a leader with a vast experience, having served as a Minister of Aviation and later governor. But the loss is heavier to the PDP family, especially at a time that it needs experienced politicians like Agagu to chart the course for the complete reconciliation and subsequent electoral victory of the party in the South-west region,” the message read.

In a related development, former Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion has also expressed shock at Dr. Agau’s sudden demise. In a statement personally signed by him, Igbinedion, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said: “I received the unpleasant news of the death of Dr.Olusegun Agagu, former Ondo State Governor, with shock and disbelief. His exit at this period is a great setback for the nation due to his wealth of experience in political engineering.

“While praying for his repose, I commiserate with the good people of Ondo State and his immediate family on his transition and pray that God will grant them fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

•Photo shows late Dr. Agagu.