Tinubu shared his struggle in commemorating Akeredolu, whom he affectionately described as a beloved brother, confidant, and political soulmate.
By Friday Omosola
President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences to the citizens of Ondo State and the families of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who passed away on Wednesday.
In a personal statement provided to the media, President Tinubu acknowledged the challenge of composing a tribute and lamenting the loss of a departed governor.
The President emphasised the difficulty, particularly in African culture, of singing a dirge for a younger individual.
He shared his struggle in commemorating Akeredolu, whom he affectionately described as a beloved brother, confidant, and political soulmate.
Tinubu highlighted the near impossibility of adequately conveying in words the towering figure and essential humanity of Akeredolu.
“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 stated.
According to the President, Akeredolu, who passed away at the age of 67, was a compelling advocate in urging a reconsideration of the security architecture for a safer nation.
“In a challenging moment of our statehood when marauding agents of darkness spread their tentacles across our country. 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.
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“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.”
“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. 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.”
Tinubu hailed late Akeredolu for a well played role before departing untimely, saying “will never see his likes again.”
“Governor Akeredolu was not just a friend and associate, the departed leader was a brother and a 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.”
