A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, Senator Francis Okpozo is dead.
Senator Okpozo died in Benin City on Monday night at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
Okpozo was the Deputy Speaker of the defunct Bendel State House of Assembly under the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and was elected to the Senate on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party.
Reacting to this death, State Chairman of our great party, Prophet Jones Erue said "I am shocked to my bone marrows because no one saw it coming. Our leader was an astute politician and 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."
In the same vein, State Deputy Chairman, Chief Cyril Ogodo groaned and said "what a wonderful world. We shall greatly miss the wise political counsel of a first class political tactician at a time we are putting our house in perfect order to face the future with hope and vigour. "
The Executivr Director Projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission (EDP NDDC), Engr Adjogbe Samuel managed out of deep shock to sum up his surprise thus "why now that we need Papa Okpozo the most 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 crutial stage of our political restructuring. May his ki d soul rest in the bossom of our Lord Jesus "
Chief Ayiri Emami of the APC Delta Leaders Council expressed his heart felf condolence this way "Senator will be missed. His shoes are to big for any of us to wear. He was a perfect gentleman and an experienced politician."
Efforts to get Delta APC Leaders Council Chairman, Olorogun Otega Emerhor proved abortive as his telephone lines were not responding. His condelence message shall be released as soon as we get words from him.
Senator Okpozo was the Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly of the defunct Bendel State and sebsequently became the first Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly during the second republic.
He campaigned and worked closely with the 2015 APC DELTA Governorship candidate, Olorogun Otega Emerhor.
Details about his burial will be announced later by his family in conjunction with Delta APC party exco.