President Bola Tinubu and Governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji have in separate messages expressed their condolences to the family of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who died on Wednesday.
In a message personally signed by President Tinubu, he described the late governor as a fearless fighter and brother who all his life stood for justice.
“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 can 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 the Governor in the last 6 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 healthcare facilities that he provided.
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“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’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 agonising period. Today, I MOURN a fighter and fearless defender of truth and the masses.
“Rotimi has played his role well and left us untimely. We will never see his likes again. Let me tell the people of Ondo State that I am grieving with you. We will honour Rotimi’s memory and make sure his legacy of service is never forgotten.
Similarly, the Ekiti state Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, expressed his condolences on the death of his Ondo State counterpart, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), describing it as a monumental loss to the Yoruba nation and the country at large.
Oyebanji in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, said he was devastated by the news of the death of the Ondo State Governor, who was once President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The Governor said his administration and the entire people of Ekiti State identify with the government and people of Ondo State at this critical period of mourning of the chief executive of the Sunshine State.
Oyebanji described Akeredolu as a legal giant and scholar, an administrator par excellence, a consummate and courageous politician who spoke truth to power till he breathed his last.
He said the late Governor made a great difference in the lives of his people and the nation through a combination of purposeful leadership and commitment to excellent service delivery.
He regretted that Akeredolu’s death had robbed the country of a committed statesman who was interested in and was irrevocably committed to the development of his state and the country.
“This is indeed a sad day. I have lost a senior brother, a friend of our dear state, a dogged fighter and a visionary leader” Governor Oyebanji said.
According to him, Akeredolu advocated for the entrenchment of democracy and good governance to the best of his ability using the platforms of politics and legal profession.
Oyebanji said Akeredolu has left legacies that can never be obliterated as a lawyer, Attorney General of old Ondo State, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Governor of Ondo State, Chairman of Southwest Governors’ Forum, Chairman of Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Chancellor, Diocese of Owo, the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, among others.