Former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has described the late Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd) as a great community leader and an intelligent politician whose contributions to society will be missed by the whole Bayelsa and, indeed, Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Abuja by his Media Adviser, Doifie Buokoribo, Sylva said Wednesday’s death of Inokoba had left a vacuum that would be impossible to fill.
Inokoba, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Bayelsa State Chairman, defected to All Progressives Congress (APC) about a fortnight ago alongside more than 1000 PDP members.
Sylva, who is also the state’s APC leader, stated, “The news of the death of Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd) was a terrible shock to me, my family, and the entire All Progressives Congress family both in Bayelsa State and Nigeria, in general. We share the grief of his family and friends.
“Inokoba was not only close to me, personally, but as a new convert to the current change agenda in Bayelsa State, we shared dreams of a better state, thoughts about the challenges ahead, and regrets about the condition of things in our state.
“He leaves a vacuum that can never be filled. His intellect, political sagacity, insight, and passion for the state, the Ijaw nation, and Nigeria, generally, were wonderful qualities that we cherished.
“Inokoba was a true leader, a successful family man, and a great community leader, and a retired soldier. Our thoughts are with the bereaved family in this time of grief. Inokoba will be missed by all of us.”
The former governor, however, said that the people of Bayelsa State will take solace in the political and communal legacies left by Inokoba.
“We know that the memory of Inokoba will serve as an inspiration to all Bayelsans that knew him,” Sylva stated.
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