CITIZENS COMPASS – A former Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Christopher Tunji-Ayeni, yesterday, lost his life in a multiple accident around Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
The accident involved two vehicles, a Toyota Hilux pick-up truck with number plate, ARP 545 KY and a commercial truck with number plate, T-17488LA.
It occurred barely 500 meters from Igbaja Junction on the Ajase-Ilorin highway, at about 10.10a.m.
Confirming the accident, spokesperson, of the Kwara Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mrs. Olayinka Basambo, in a statement said that the FRSC received a distress call at about:10 a.m. on Thursday.
She said FRSC officers arrived at the scene approximately 15 minutes later to do the needful unfortunately, the former Deputy Speaker was later confirmed dead.
According to the spokesperson, “ two vehicles were involved in the crash: a Toyota Hilux pick-up truck with the registration number ARP 545 KY and a commercial truck with the registration number T-17488LA. Five people were involved in the accident, including three men and two women who sustained various injuries. The injured were taken to the nearest hospital in Ajase-Ipo, but one person later died during treatment.”
She said investigations revealed that the accident was caused by excessive speeding.
Christopher Tunji-Ayeni was a well-known political figure in Kwara and was the 2023 House of Representatives candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which was a notable change in his political journey. He also held the title of Akogun of Isapa land in a local government in Ekiti State.
