From Inyali Peter, Calabar
The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Cross River State in the last general election, Mr. Odey Ochicha, has extended condolence to President Muhammadu Buhari and Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello on the death of Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Barr. James Ocholi.
Ochicha, in a statement made available to reporters in Calabar, said the news of his death came as a great surprise to him and his family.
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According to him, the junior minister’s death is a national tragedy and a great loss to the nation.
While praying God to give his family the fortitude to bear the loss, he said the vacuum left by Ocholi in Kogi politics and APC is irreplaceable.
His words: “I want to condole with President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello and the family of Mr. James Ocholi, Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, who died in a ghastly motor accident yesterday.
“Barrister Ocholi’s death is a national tragedy because Nigeria has lost a determined leader who has demonstrated unequivocal commitment to the development of the country.
“His death is untimely and shocking. I’m saddened by the news because he was a great component of President Buhari’s change mantra and a quintessential in the ruling APC.”