“Ondo Mourns the Loss of Governor Akeredolu: A Progressive Leader Remembered”

AJANAKU SUN BI OKE…….

I received with utmost grief but with submission to the wish of the Almighty God, the passage of my friend, comrade and brother, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo State, in the early hours of today.

It is a most arduous task writing about him in the past tense. Akeredolu was ever present. He was the life of every meeting and never left anyone in doubt about his position on any issue because of his candour, frankness, and honesty. He was not a typical politician who spoke from both sides of the mouth. Akeredolu was forthright, ever objective, and frank to a fault.

Akeredolu was a prominent voice in the progressive family and played a prominent role in the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC), both within the confines of the law court and in the bubbling political arena.

We served at some time, respectively, as governors of Ondo and Ogun States. He was a progressive to the core who believed the essence of government, and indeed, politics was the betterment of the lives of the people. He was an advocate of true federalism and justice. History will be kind to him when the history of the emergence of regional/state security outfits in the country is told. He was at the forefront of the initiative for the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network – Amotekun- to safeguard the people and territorial integrity of this part of the country against unwarranted attacks.

Akeredolu was a loyal and ever dependable friend. What you see about him was always what he was. Ever forthright. Ever honest. Ever truthful.

We take solace in the indelible mark he left as the governor of Ondo State in particular and in the legal firmament and politics of Nigeria. I extend my condolences to his wife and children as well as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the good people of Ondo State. May God grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. I also pray that the good Lord will grant our departed brother and friend, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu eternal rest. Amen.

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, CON, FCA
27 December, 2023