Politics
By Victoria Frances
PROMINENT Nigerians have paid glowing tribute to late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who died of leukemia in a German hospital December 27, aged 65.
Some of those who expressed sadness at the demise of Akeredolu popularly known as “Aketi”, are President Bola Tinubu, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, newly sworn-in governor of Ondo State, and Dele Alake, minister of Solid Minerals Development.
Tinubu said: “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. Rotimi was a man who moved our nation towards equity, fairness and justice in his strident advocacy against every form of injustice in our country through the instrumentality of the law as a senior advocate, attorney general of his beloved state, as President of the Nigerian Bar Association and Governor of Ondo State.”
According to him, “In a challenging moment of our statehood when marauding agents of darkness spread their tentacles across our country, Rotimi was a strong voice in 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 school he built and 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’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.
“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 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 beckoned on him to contest for the governorship position of Ondo State in 2012. Even though he didn’t make it in 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 had served the people with devotion.”
He said: “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.
“In my grief and sadness, I have telephoned his wife, Betty, 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.”
Reacting, Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday said he took over the reins of power in state with a heavy heart.
Aiyedatiwa stated this after he was sworn-in as the substantive governor of the state following the death of Akeredolu.
“It is a devastating thing for us to lose our dear governor. This is a monumental loss. It is a great loss to me as an individual,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa was sworn-in by the state Chief Judge around 4.00pm at Ondo State House.
Aiyedatiwa has been serving as the acting governor of the state since early this month when power was transferred to him by the state House of Assembly following the continued illness of Akeredolu.
On his part, Alake, in a release by Segun Tomori, special assistant (Media) to minister of Solid Minerals Development, described late Akeredolu as a defender of a worthy cause.
The minister added that the late Governor of Ondo State was an irrepressible fighter and courageous defender of the people.
Alake stated that Ondo State has lost a gem and a quintessential progressive who is always at the forefront of defending his people and fighting for the emancipation of the downtrodden.
“I am deeply shocked by the loss of a brother and friend and indeed one of the leaders of the progressive movement, late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.”
“Akeredolu carved a niche for himself as a bold and irrepressible defender of the interests of Ondo people and the Yoruba nation. His voice resonated across the country as a lodestar in the struggle for the entrenchment of true federalism. As State Governor, he made the welfare of the people the focal point of governance.
“Nigeria has lost a titan, but we are consoled by the fact that he left an indelible mark in the political firmament. I commiserate with President Bola Tinubu and the good people of Ondo State on this irreparable loss.
“May Aketi’s soul rest in the bossom of the Lord”, he said.
T.
-December 28, 2023 @ 5:44 GMT|
Tags: Governor Rotimi Akeredolu Lucky Aiyedatiwa President Bola Tinubu
