President Bola Tinubu has described the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, as a mourner-in-chief who guided his people through an agonizing period.
Tinubu said Akeredolu was a towering figure through the instrumentality of the law as a senior advocate, attorney general of his state, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and Governor of Ondo State.
In a personally signed condolence message on Wednesday, the President stated, “It is a difficult task to have to pen a tribute and sing a dirge for a departing soul. It is a more difficult job in our African culture when one is compelled to do so for a younger person. Here I am with the difficult job of singing a dirge for Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, my beloved brother, confidant, political soulmate, and governor of Ondo State.
“I cannot fairly capture in words Rotimi’s towering figure and his human essence. In a challenging moment of our statehood when marauding agents of darkness spread their tentacles across our country, Rotimi was a strong voice in the wilderness, calling us to rethink our security architecture so we could have a more secure nation. His unrelenting advocacy led to the birth of the local police in the South West.
“Rotimi was a man of ideas and action. While he was with us, he taught us the power of action and service. In Ondo State, where he had the honour to serve as governor for the last six years, he served his people with absolute loyalty, dedication, and forthrightness.
“His footprints dot the entire landscape in the hundreds of kilometres of roads he built, the many schools he built, and the healthcare facilities that he provided. During the dark hours when marauding agents of darkness visited the state and killed defenceless citizens, where 40 worshippers of the Catholic Church of Owo were killed on June 5, 2022, Rotimi Akeredolu’s leadership qualities as a true statesman and compassionate leader radiated brightly to the world.
“He was a mourner-in-chief who guided his people through an agonizing period. Today, I am a fighter and fearless defender of truth and the masses.
“My personal journey with Rotimi started as joint members of the progressive family. We fought many battles together to restore progressive governance in the South West, Edo State, and Nigeria as a whole. During this uncertain period, Rotimi was resolute and unflinching.
“He showed uncommon courage as a member of our legal team in our battles to reclaim our stolen mandates in Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, and Osun States. A gallant lawyer and one of the finest of the legal profession. I called on him to contest for the governorship position in Ondo State in 2012.
“Even though he didn’t make it in his first attempt, his enthusiasm and determination to serve his people never diminished. He eventually made it to the Alagbaka Government House in his second attempt in the 2016 election. Since he was sworn in in February 2017, he has served the people with devotion.
“Rotimi has played his role well and left us untimely. We will never see his posts again. Let me tell the people of Ondo State that I am grieving with you. We will honour Akeredolu’s memory and make sure his legacy of service is never forgotten.
“In my grief and sadness, I have telephoned his wife, Betty Akeredolu, and Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to commiserate with them and urge them to take heart over this national tragedy.
“Governor Akeredolu was not just a friend, ally, and associate; he was a brother and soulmate.
“His death is a blow to our governing APC and the progressive family, as we are diminished by it.
“I hope that his successor, Aiyedatiwa, will hold steadfast to the vision of governance left by this towering political leader.”
