As expected, tributes and reactions have continued to flow from traditional leaders notable politicians and other Nigerians following the demise of ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu. Akeredolu according to family sources succumbed to leukaemia in an undisclosed hospital in Lagos on Wednesday.

 

Born on July 21, 1956, Governor Akeredolu hailed from Owo in Ondo State. He studied Law at the Obafemi Awolowo University (then University of Ife) where he graduated in 1977. He was called to the Bar in 1978.

 

 

He was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Until his passing at 67, he was the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum. He was serving his second term in office, having won his election and re-election in 2016 and 2020 respectively.

 

 

Reacting to the demise, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi described the late ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, as an honest, courageous leader, describing his death as a monumental loss to Yoruba race and Nigeria as a whole.

 

Oba Ogunwusi in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen on Wednesday said late Governor Akeredolu was an epitome of courage and honesty.

 

While disclosing that Akeredolu lived a life worthy of emulation, he stressed that the Oduduwa race has lost a pillar of courage, who stood for the protection of his people at difficult times.

 

 

Expressing sadness over the death of the late governor, Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described him as an exceptional statesman who made indelible marks in public service.

 

 

“My heartfelt condolences go to the Progressives Governors’ Forum, the government and people of Ondo State, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), as well as the immediate family of my dear brother and colleague His Excellency Olurotimi Akeredolu SAN,” the Governor said in a personal statement made available to journalists.

 

 

“A frontline lawyer and conscientious politician of a progressive bent, His Excellency would be remembered for his courage, patriotism, and immeasurable contributions to the constitutional and sociopolitical development of Nigeria.

 

 

“As painful as his exit is to all of us, we take solace in his fine legacies as a gentleman and statesman. We ask God to repose his soul and look after his family.” concluded the statement.

 

 

Condoling Ondo state over the death of Governor Akeredolu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, expressed grief, saying it is a painful loss. He described Akeredolu’s death as a big blow to the APC family, noting that the governor was one of the brilliant legal minds in the ruling party.

 

 

The Speaker said Governor Akeredolu was a champion of the rule of law, democracy and true federalism.

 

 

The Speaker extended his condolences to the Akeredolu family, the people, and the government of Ondo State. He prayed to God to grant Governor Akeredolu eternal rest in paradise.

 

 

Reacting to the death of his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday described the death of his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, as tragic.

 

In his condolence message to the acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the family of the deceased and Ondo people, Abiodun described Akeredolu, who until his death was the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, as a dogged fighter throughout his lifetime.

 

 

According to him, Akeredolu stood for equity and fairness in the run-up to the 2023 presidential election, when he was the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum.

 

Prince Abiodun said Akeredolu was a visionary leader with an unwavering dedication to his people and social justice.

 

 

“Akeredolu made an indelible mark on Nigerian politics. From his tenure as the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association to his role as the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, he continuously championed the cause of justice and the upliftment of his people.

 

 

Also, the All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state described the death of the governor of Ondo state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, as unfortunate in view of his contributions to the society as it concerns humanity, democracy and good governance.

 

 

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party in the state, commiserated with Mrs. Betty Akeredolu as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and the good people of Ondo over the transition of Arakunrin Akeredolu who, according to the party, died at a time his services was still needed by his people.

 

 

“Arakunrin Akeredolu made a great impact in many ways as he was a dogged fighter, astute legal practitioner and patriotic democrat who would not spare any effort to promote justice and fairness at all times regardless of the risk involved.”

 

 

“There is no doubt that he would be sorely missed by all and sundry. Therefore, we pray God to grant him eternal rest and give his family and the good people of the Sunshine State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Oyo APC stated.

 

 

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ondo state chapter, has described the death of Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, as a colossal loss to the state and Nigeria as a whole. The Chairman of the association in the state, Very Revd. Fr. Anselm Ologunwa, said this in a statement issued in Akure, the state capital.

 

 

Ologunwa described Governor Akeredolu as a great fighter of democracy, a dedicated and loving father of all. The governor had exhibited several outstanding qualities during his tenure of administration ranging from the establishment of the Amotekun security outfit and his stand on the unity of the country.”

 

 

He noted that “Akeredolu is well noted for his firmness in decision making as being usually called,” Mr Talk and Do” Governor.

 

 

Ologunwa said his death will no doubt bring about a vacuum in the state but is optimistic that with God all things are possible.

 

 

The chairman condoled with the people of the state and the immediate family of Akeredolu for the irreparable loss of our Governor and prayed to God to grant him eternal rest.

 

 

Expressing sadness over the death of Ondo State governor, Akeredolu, Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, said: “The Southwest has lost a dogged fighter and courageous leader who worked hard for the peace, prosperity and progress of the region.

 

Makinde, in a statement made available on Wednesday, stated that the death of the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is a sad loss to Yorubaland and Nigeria.

 

 

He expressed his heartfelt condolences to his wife, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the entire family, and the Government and people of Ondo State.

 

 

Describing Akeredolu, who until his death, was the chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, as a dogged and courageous leader, the Oyo State governor said Aketi, as he was fondly called, worked hard with his colleague-governors for the peace, prosperity and progress of South-West states.

 

 

He said: “I received with great sadness the news of the death of my brother, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the governor of Ondo State and chairman, South-West Governors’ Forum.”

 

 

“I condole with his wife and children as well as the Government and people of Ondo State over this sad loss. In Aketi, South-West has lost a dogged fighter and courageous leader who worked hard for the peace, prosperity and progress of the region.”