President Bola Tinubu has described the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredoluas a man of courage, ideas and action.
Akeredolu, 67, died in a German hospital on Wednesday after a prolonged battle with leukemia and prostate cancer.
The state government has issued an official statement announcing his death.
In a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, President Tinubu said he could not put into words the imposing figure of the late governor and his human essence.
Tinubu recalled his personal journey with Governor Akeredolu which he said began when they were joint members of the progressive family.
“We have fought many battles together to restore progressive governance in the South West, Edo State and Nigeria as a whole. During this period of uncertainty, Rotimi was determined and unwavering,” the President said.
The President said Akeredolu’s death is a blow to the ruling APC and the progressive family as they are diminished by it.
“I hope that his successor Aiyedatiwa will remain steadfast in the vision of governance left by this outstanding political leader,” he said.
Read the full statement below:
CRY TO MY TRUE BROTHER, ROTIMI AKEREDOLU
It is a difficult task to have to write a tribute and sing a dirge for a departing soul. It is a more difficult job in our African culture when one is forced to do it by a younger person. Here I am with the difficult task of singing a dirge for Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, my beloved brother, confidant, political soulmate and governor of Ondo State.
I cannot capture in words the imposing figure of Rotimi and his human essence. Rotimi was a man who propelled our nation towards equity, fairness and justice in his strident defense against all forms of injustice in our country through the instrumentality of law as a chief defender, attorney general of his beloved state, as President of the Nigerian Bar Association. Ondo State Association and Governor.
At a challenging time of our statehood, when the marauding agents of darkness spread their tentacles across our country, Rotimi was a strong voice in nature calling us to rethink our security architecture so that we can have a safer nation . His tireless advocacy led to the birth of local policing in the southwest.
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 honor of serving as Governor for the past six years, he served his people with absolute loyalty, dedication and candor. His footprints dot the entire landscape in the hundreds of miles of roads he built, the numerous schools he built, and the health facilities he provided. During the dark hours when marauding agents of darkness visited the state and killed defenseless citizens, where 40 worshipers of the Owo Catholic Church were murdered on June 5, 2022, Rotimi’s leadership qualities as a true statesman and leader compassionate radiated brilliantly to the world. He was a mourner-in-chief who guided his people through an agonizing period. Today he MOURNS a fearless fighter and defender of the truth and the masses.
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My personal journey with Rotimi began 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 unwavering. She showed uncommon courage as a member of our legal team in our battles to recover our stolen mandates in Ekiti, Ondo, Edo and Osun states. A brave lawyer and one of the best in the legal profession. She invited him to run for the governorship of Ondo State in 2012. Although she did not succeed in the first attempt, his enthusiasm and determination to serve her people never diminished. She finally reached the Alagbaka Government House in her second attempt in the 2016 elections. Since she was sworn in in February 2017, she had served the people with devotion.
Rotimi has played his role well and left us at the wrong time. We will never see the likes of him again. Let me tell the people of Ondo State that I grieve with you. We will honor Rotimi’s memory and ensure that his legacy of service is never forgotten.
In my grief and sadness, I telephoned his wife, Betty, and the Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to commiserate with them and urge them to take heart in the face of this national tragedy.
Governor Akeredolu was not just a friend, an ally and an associate, he was a brother and a soulmate.
His death is a huge blow to our ruling APC and progressive family as we are diminished by it.
I hope that his successor Aiyedatiwa will remain steadfast in the vision of governance left by this imposing political leader.
SIGNED: His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,