President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Tinubu described Akeredolu as his brother, confidant, and political soulmate, saying it was difficult for him to pen a tribute and sing a dirge for the late governor.

The president said Akeredolu’s unrelenting advocacy led to the creation of a regional security outfit, Amotekun, in the South-West region of the country, noting that the deceased called for the restructuring of Nigeria’s security architecture to have a more secure country.

He said this in a statement on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.

President Tinubu further described Akeredolu as a man of ideas and action, saying: “I cannot fairly 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.

“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.

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“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.”

Tinubu stated that he and Akeredolu fought many battles to restore progressive governance in the South-West, Edo State, and Nigeria as a whole, adding that the late governor served the people of Ondo State with devotion.

The president said: “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.

“In my grief and sadness, I have telephoned his wife, Betty, and Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to commiserate with them and urge them to take heart over this national tragedy.

“Governor Akeredolu was not just a friend, ally and associate, he was a brother and 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.”

The Star