Gloomy Wednesday as Nigerians mourn Akeredolu, Na’Abba
…Aiyedatiwa sworn-in as Governor, promises to sustain legacy of Late Governor
…Tinubu, others task new Ondo Governor on quality governance, unity
All was not well on Wednesday as the death of two political players in the country came as a huge shock to Nigerians leaving a plethora of reactions.
Nigerians were stunned with the death of Governor of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Dr Ghali Na’Abba.
Na’Abba died at the National Hospital in Abuja at age 65. A son of a wealthy aristocrat from Kano, Na’Abba was clear about his goals and dreams from an early age and went after them with vigour.
Meanwhile, Akeredolu died at the age of 67 in the early hours of Wednesday.
Recall that the ailing governor returned to Nigeria in September following a three-month medical leave in Germany. Recently, he went on another medical leave after being directed by President Bola Tinubu to hand over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
His deputy, Aiyedatiwa, who had been in an acting capacity, had been sworn in governor.
Following his return to Nigeria in September, Akeredolu stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and tried to govern his state from there, leading to public outrage.
In a condolence message, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said, “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. Here I am with the difficult job of singing a dirge for Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, my beloved brother, confidant, political soulmate and governor of Ondo State.
“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 the 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 in the last 6 years, he served his people with absolute loyalty, dedication and forthrightness. His footprints dot the entire landscape in 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.
“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 him to contest for the governorship position of Ondo State in 2012.
“Even though he didn’t make it in 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, 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.”
The President also urged the late Governor’s successor Aiyedatiwa to hold steadfast to the vision of governance left by this towering political leader.
In the message to the large Na’Abba family in Kano, the government and the people of the state, the former President described the demise of the former Speaker, House of Representatives, as a national loss.
“His insight into issues and nuanced understanding of politics had few parallels.
“Speaker Na’Abba was at the forefront of the defence of democracy at a time it faced the threat of extinction by powerful forces.
“He leaves us with innumerable memories of his activism in politics.May Allah forgive his wrong deeds.”
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, Abdurahman AbdulRasak and the Vice Chairman of the Forum and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde have paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu.
While speaking with journalists, Governor AbdulRasak described the death of Akeredolu as a sad affair.
AbdulRasak stated, “We will just continue to pray that his soul rest in peace, may God give the family the fortitude to bear the loss, it’s indeed a great loss for the nation.
“This is a man that has risen to the height of his chosen career, he was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he has risen to the height of politics, he was the governor of a state, he impacted greatly on humanity, developmental politics, all we can say for now is may his soul rest in peace.
“Also adding to it is the former Speaker, House of Representatives, Dr Ghali Na’Abba, may Allah forgive his sins and grant him aljanat fridaous.”
In his remarks, Governor Seyi Makinde said, “I have lost a personal friend, brother, somebody we have been in the trenches together.
“When we were going to set up Amotekun, he was pivotal to it and when we took the decision for a southern presidency, himself and former governor of Anambra, chaired the meeting at the Delta State Government House.
“This is somebody who was a courageous individual, he doesn’t mince words, he says it as it is, he speaks truth to power, it’s a big loss for me personally, and for the Southwest, we will still continue to internalise it.
“We give God the glory, he lived a fulfilled life , at the end of the day it is not how long, but how well and he lived well, he impacted humanity and the south- west of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, Lucky Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the Governor of Ondo State on Wednesday evening.
The swearing-in took place at the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.
The new Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has promised to complete projects started by late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Governor Aiyedatiwa made the promise shortly after taking oath of office. He was sworn in by the Chief Judge, Odusola Olusegun, in Akure.
According to the Governor, “Our Leader, during his time, embarked on landmark projects many of which had been completed and some are ongoing.
“I now have the burden to complete them. It is necessary for us to acknowledge the achievements of Akeredolu. His records of performance are monumental.
“This administration shall continue to advance the welfare of the people. We shall place the people first in every decision we take.”
The Governor said he accepted to take over the reins of the affair of the state with a heavy heart following Akeredolu’s death.
Aiyedatiwa added, “The death of our governor and leader was a devastating shock to the people of the state. It’s a colossal loss to the state and Nigeria.”
The Ondo Governor said his relationship with Akeredolu dated back many years and was not affected by the loss of the 2012 governorship election.
Also, the Governor said Akeredolu was “a man of courage and vision who always stood for the truth even at his detriment. He pursued the course of Amotekun even when he had his victory being contended at the court.”
“The people of Ondo and the Southwest will be grateful for the establishment of Amotekun, which has increased security in the state.
“His many legacies in the health sector, infrastructural, industrial hub, his innovation and entrepreneurial agency will be difficult to surpass.
“The events in the last few days are a watershed in the history of the state. This event has placed a burden on all of us. We have the responsibility to continue to sustain Akeredolu’s legacy which was good governance,” Governor Aiyedatiwa added.
