Akeredolu was fearless, says Tinubu; he was one of our most influential, courageous Presidents – NBA
By Emma Ogbuehi
If there is any adjective that has resonated so loudly since the passing of Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, early Wednesday morning, it is the fact that he was a man of courage.
Both individuals and groups agree that he had the courage of his conviction.
President Bola Tinubu who expressed deep sadness over Akeredolu’s death has also described him as a fighter and fearless defender of truth and the masses.
He called Akeredolu his beloved brother, confidant, and political soulmate.
President Tinubu in a tribute on Wednesday, noted how the late governor broke down in tears on July 5, 2022, when the marauding Fulani herdsmen attacked and killed about 40 worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
He said Rotimi’s leadership qualities as a true statesman and compassionate leader radiated brightly to the world.
The President’s tribute read: “It is a difficult task to have to pen a tribute and sing a dirge for a departing soul. It is a more difficult job in our African culture when one is compelled to do so for a younger person.
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“Here I am having the difficult job of singing a dirge for Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, my beloved brother, confidant, political soulmate, and the Executive Governor of Ondo State.
“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.
“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.”
On his encounter with the late former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, the President said, “My personal journey with Rotimi 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.
“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 on 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.
“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 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.”
Akeredolu, one of our most influential, courageous Presidents – NBA
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has paid glowing tribute to Akeredolu, describing him as one of the most influential and courageous Presidents that ever led the legal body.
Akeredolu served as President of the association from 2008 to 2010.
The NBA, which is the umbrella body of legal practitioners in the country, in a condolence message that was signed by its President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, said his death is a collective loss.
“His Excellency was called to the Bar in 1978 and had served the NBA in several capacities.
“He variously served as Secretary and Vice Chair of Ibadan Branch and went on to become the 24th President of the Association from 2008 to 2010 – one of the most influential and courageous Presidents ever to lead the NBA.
“The late learned Senior Advocate also served the nation in various other capacities at different times, one of which was as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice from 1997 to 1999 and later as two-term Governor from 2017 till his demise.
“Aketi, as he was popularly called, was in our lexicon a true Bar man who firmly believed in the ability of the legal profession to make a difference in our society.
“It was this belief that led him into politics resulting in being elected twice as the Governor of Ondo State. Aketi will mostly be remembered for his forthrightness and down-to-earth perspectives especially on matters of national importance.
“He will be positively remembered for his several contributions to the growth and development of Ondo State and the entire region.
“As Governor, Aketi was at the forefront of the establishment of the regional security network, Amotekun, to address security concerns in the western region.
“So far, the network has been effective in stemming the tide of terrorism, armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, etc., within the region and currently stands as a model for other regions to emulate.
“For his contributions to the progress of Nigeria, he was recognized by the Federal Government and conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in October 2022.
“There is no denying that the learned Senior Advocate left indelible footprints in the sands of time.
“I commiserate with the entire Akeredolu clan, particularly his wife, Betty, and children, on this very painful loss. I also extend my condolences to the Ondo State Executive Committee and the entire people of Ondo State.
“Aketi’s departure is our collective loss. My prayer is that God Almighty will comfort the hearts of all members of his family, his colleagues, and friends.
“May the peace of God which is beyond human understanding, protect our hearts and minds through Christ our Lord, Amen,” the message further read.
