From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

Following the demise of the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Funminiyi Afuye, the house has declared seven days mourning in the assembly complex.

The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity,  Mrs Yemisi Ayokunle, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, said the house has also ordered that the flag in the complex fly at half mast in honour of the departed speaker.

Similarly, a condolence register has been opened at the entrance of the assembly complex, while the hallowed chamber and some offices in the assembly complex was under lock and key.

When our correspondent visited the assembly complex, workers and other visitors were seen standing in groups discussing about the life and death of the late Speaker.

The late Rt Hon Funminiyi Afuye, an indigene of Ikere-Ekiti, represented Ikere constituency I, a two-term member of the assembly and former Commissioner for Information during the first term of Dr. Kayode Fayemi as the Governor of the State.

The late Lawmaker died at the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital (EKSU) Ado-Ekiti, after he was said to have developed a disease known as cardiac arrest in his residence located along Ise-Ekiti road, Ikere-Ekiti.

The late Lawmaker was said to have been rushed to the emergency hall of the hospital where he was later confirmed dead by the Doctors at about 6:30. pm on Wednesday.

Afuye, a lawyer died at the age of 66 years and was inaugurated as the speaker of the sixth assembly on June 6, 2019. He was said to be preparing for the wedding ceremony of his only son this next Saturday, before his sudden death on Wednesday.

A member of the House who spoke with our correspondent via telephone  described the death of the late Speaker as a colossal loss not only to the people of his community, but to the entire Ekiti State.

Afuye  appeared at the inauguration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, on Sunday, and was said to have also attended plenary on Tuesday before the sudden turn of event on Wednesday.

“This event is funny and shocking. Rt Hon Funminiyi Afuye was at the House of Assembly yesterday (Tuesday), so his death was devastating to us. It was a rude shock.

“We learnt he developed sudden complications this morning and was rushed to the hospital where he died”.

Afuye, who was in the assembly between 2007 and 2011, was spending his second term in the assembly and his tenure was billed to expire June 6, 2023.