Ex-Kwara deputy speaker is dead -

A former Deputy Speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly, Christopher Tunji-Ayeni, on Thursday died in a fatal road accident.

Mrs Olayinka Basambo, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Kwara Command of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), confirmed the death in a statement on Thursday in llorin.

She said the FRSC received a call from good samaritans about the accident at about 10:10 a.m on Thursday.

Basambo said that some FRSC officers got to the scene of the accident about 15 minutes later in Ajase-Ipo, in the Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.

“This position is about 500 meters away from Igbaja Junction on the Ajase-llorin highway.

“Two vehicles were involved in the accident. One was a Toyota Hilux (Pick-up) with registration number ARP 545 KY, while the other was a commercial truck, with registration number T-17488LA,” she said.

The PRO said five persons were involved in the auto crash in which there were three male and two female who sustained injuries.

“The victims were immediately taken to the nearest hospital in Ajase-Ipo were one person later lost his life during treatment,” she added.

Basambo said investigation conducted revealed that the accident occurred due to excessive speeding.

The deceased was a prominent political figure in the state and the 2023 House of Representatives candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He recently switched allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant shift in his political career.

The former Deputy Speaker was also the Akogun of Isapa land in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, a title which underscored his influence and status within the community.