Tinubu mourns Ondo governor Akeredolu, calls him a fearless brother

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his deep sorrow over the death of Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, who passed away on Tuesday after a brief illness.

In a press statement released on Wednesday, President Tinubu described Governor Akeredolu as his beloved brother, confidant, political soulmate and a man who moved the nation towards equity, fairness and justice.

“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,” President Tinubu said.

He recalled Governor Akeredolu’s achievements as a senior advocate, attorney general, president of the Nigerian Bar Association and governor of Ondo State, saying he was a strong voice in the wilderness calling for a rethink of the security architecture of the country and a champion 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 school he built and healthcare facilities that he provided,” President Tinubu said.

He also praised Governor Akeredolu’s leadership qualities as a true statesman and compassionate leader, especially 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,” President Tinubu said.

He narrated his personal journey with Governor Akeredolu as joint members of the progressive family, saying they fought many battles together to restore progressive governance in the South West, Edo State and Nigeria as a whole.

“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,” President Tinubu said.

He expressed his condolences to Governor Akeredolu’s wife, Betty, and Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, saying he had telephoned them to commiserate with them and urge them to take heart over this national tragedy.

He also urged Governor Akeredolu’s successor to hold steadfast to the vision of governance left by the towering political leader.

“We will honour Rotimi’s memory and make sure his legacy of service is never forgotten,” President Tinubu said.