President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday hailed the outgoing Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, describing him as a fearless fighter, brother, confidante and political soulmate.
In a personally signed assertion expressing his grief over the passing of the governor, Tinubu stated: “At this time I mourn a warrior and a fearless defender of the reality and the plenty…brother, confidant, political soulmate and the Government Governor of Ondo State.”
“Rotimi was a person of concepts and motion. Whereas he was with us, he taught us the facility of motion and repair.
“In Ondo State, the place he had the respect of serving as governor for the previous six years, he served his individuals with absolute loyalty, dedication and candor,” he stated.
Akeredolu, 67, died on Wednesday morning after a protracted battle with prostate most cancers, the state authorities confirmed on Wednesday.
The state Commissioner for Data and Steerage, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, introduced the demise of the governor in a press release saying: “Mr. The Governor peacefully departed this world within the early hours of at the moment, Wednesday, December 27, 2023.”
A senior lawyer of Nigeria, ex-President of the Nigerian Bar Affiliation and ex-Lawyer Common of Ondo State, he was a second-term governor anticipated to finish his time period in 2024.
In his tribute titled “I mourn my fearless brother, Rotimi Akeredolu,” Tinubu stated:
“Rotimi performed his position effectively and left us prematurely. We’ll by no means see his likes once more. Let me inform the individuals of Ondo State that I mourn with you. We’ll honor Rotimi's reminiscence and guarantee his legacy is rarely forgotten.
“In my grief and sorrow, I known as his spouse, Betty, and Appearing Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa to commiserate with them and urge them to take this nationwide tragedy to coronary heart.
“Governor Akeredolu was not solely a good friend and collaborator, the late chief was a brother and a kindred spirit. His demise is a blow to our ruling APC and the progressive household because it diminishes us.
“I hope that his successor Aiyedatiwa will stay steadfast to the governance imaginative and prescient left behind by this towering political chief.”
