…gear up to give late governor befitting burial
…family, Ondo govt to announce funeral arrangements ‘in due course‘
The governors of the South-West geopolitical zone have shown solidarity with the family of the departed Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and the government and people of the state in their trying moment.
Akeredolu, who had been ill for several months, died in faraway Germany on Wednesday, 27 December 2023, of complications from prostate cancer, according to a statement by the state government.
On Friday, the governors of the region, under the aegis of the South-West Governors’ Forum, went on a condolence visit to Akeredolu’s residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
On the visit were the governors of Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke; Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun; and Ekiti State, Abiodun Oyebanji. The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was said to be on his way, while the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, was represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal.
During the visit, the governors after commiserating with the family promised to set up a committee that would ensure a befitting state burial for the late governor.
Governor Abiodun, who spoke on behalf of the governors, said they would collectively “be majorly responsible for his funeral rites in according him the farewell that he deserves”.
Abiodun described the late Akeredolu as a very dependable, reliable, predictable, consistent person, who never hesitated at any point in time to say exactly how he felt on any issue no matter how controversial; a fearless and courageous man who advocated and championed the cause of Southern presidency and worked towards its success.
“He played a key role in the birth or rebirth of the Southern Governors’ Forum, which he was the chairman until he passed away,” Abiodun said, adding that Akeredolu “was a leader to all of us who gathered here today”.
“Without a doubt, we are all still in a state of shock and disbelief. Akeredolu was the Chairman, South-West Governors’ Forum, Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, a position that he held and led very courageously, very fearlessly, a learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a successful second term governor of the state,” Abiodun said.
“We commiserate with you. We humbly request that you consider this as a joint responsibility of all of us. We will want to be a part of whatever plans the family will be implementing towards sending him forth.
“We would like to put a committee together that will have representatives from each of our states to work alongside the Ondo State government and the family in ensuring that we give our leader a befitting burial,” he said.
He said the governors were there on behalf of their families, the entire government and people of the various South-West states to commiserate with the family and people of Ondo State and pray for the repose of the soul of the departed governor.
“He will be sorely missed by all of us. The vacuum he left will be very difficult to fill by everyone,” he said.
The late Akeredolu meant so much to the South West, where he played a key in championing progressive politics for which that region of the country is known. President Bola Tinubu said that much in a personal statement on Wednesday to mourn the passing of Akeredolu.
The President, in the highly emotional tribute, recalled how he and Akeredolu, whom he called “my beloved brother, confidant, political soulmate”, fought many battles to restore progressive governance, especially in the South-West geopolitical zone.
“It is an impossible task to fully 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,” Tinubu said.
“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 over the past six years, he served his people with absolute loyalty, dedication, and forthrightness. His footprints dot the entire landscape of the state through the hundreds of kilometres of roads he built, the many schools 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,” he said.
Tinubu said his personal journey with Akeredolu 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 a member of our legal team in our battles to reclaim our stolen mandates in Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, and Osun States,” the President said.
“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 did not make it in his 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.
“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,” he said.
Earlier, following the announcement of Akeredolu’s death on Wednesday, the Ondo State Government declared a three-day mourning period in honour of the late governor.
The newly sworn-in governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, also ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast across the state.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, titled “Declaration of State Mourning in Honour of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON”, said, “This period of mourning, with fasting and prayer, takes effect from Thursday, December 28 to Saturday, December 30, 2023. Also, all national flags are to be flown at half-mast in reflection of the mood of the State for seven days.”
The governor also announced the suspension of state government ceremonies during the period of mourning and condolence registers were opened at the Governor’s Office and the Government House in Akure, as well as State Liaison Offices in Lagos and Abuja.
Meanwhile, Akeredolu’s son, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Jnr, has said the family and the Ondo State government would announce the detail of his father’s burial arrangements in due course.
Akeredolu Jnr, in a statement he issued on Wednesday evening, said the late governor died after a long battle with prostrate cancer in a German hospital.
“While we are deeply saddened and devastated by his departure, we find solace in the understanding that as he transitions to eternity, he will be guided by the benevolent hands of the angels of light, with whom he resided during his remarkable and fruitful journey on Earth,” Akeredolu Jnr said.
“During this challenging time, we sincerely appreciate everyone who has stood by us and extended their support since the news broke. We humbly request your prayers and support, while also asking for privacy as we navigate through this trying period.
“Details regarding the burial arrangements will be announced by the family and the State Government in due course,” he said.
