David Mark,Suswam And Others Mourn Prince Ogiri Ajene Former Deputy Governor Of Benue State.

Senate President, David Mark has lamented the death of former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Prince Ogiri Ajene, saying that the state has lost one of its forefront and dependable political leaders.

In a condolence message to the government and people of Benue State, Mark said he received the news of Ajene’s death with shock and disbelief.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, Mark noted that the late Ajene was an astute politician who had the capacity to mobilize followers.

Mark said, “Ajene was a leader in his own right . He was outspoken. He was a team player who carried his people along. We shall miss his political sagacity. We shall miss his humour. We shall miss his contributions”.

Meanwhile, prominent sons and daughters of Benue State including Governor Gabriel Suswam and other elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have paid tributes to the late Ajene while sympathisers have continued to throng the residence of the deceased to condole with his family.

Ajene was the deputy to the former Governor George Akume who is now the Senate minority leader between 1999 and 2007 before he left office to contest election at a local government level.

But our correspondent observed during his visit to the residence of the late Ajene in Kwarafa quarters in Makurdi yesterday that the place was filled to capacity with extended family members, political associates and sympathizers condoling with the family. A condolence register was opened for signing.

In his reaction to the demise of the former deputy governor, Suswam described the late Ajene as a philanthropist and community leader, a patriotic Nigerian and a true leader, as well as a trusted political ally.

In a condolence message issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr Cletus Akwaya, Suswam said, “the departure of Ajene has left a large vacuum which would be very difficult to fill in the political leadership of the state especially in the Benue South senatorial district.”

Speaking to LEADERSHIP yesterday, a PDP elder statesman and former minister of state for education, Dr. Jerry Agada, also described the death of Ajene as a big blow to the political theater of the state and prayed for the repose of his soul.
Source LEADERSHIP newspaper.