The Southwest Governors in Nigeria have condoled the family, government and people of Ondo State on the death of the former Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
Akeredolu, according to a statement by the Ondo State Government, died in the early hours of Wednesday, December 27, 2023, while receiving medical treatment in Germany.
He reportedly succumbed to complications arising from prostate cancer.
Led by the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum and Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, the Governors paid a condolence visit to the wife of the late Governor, Mrs Betty Anyawu Akeredolu, on Friday, at their Jericho home in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The Governors had earlier converged at the Governors’ office in Ibadan, including the Publisher of the Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu, who were hosted by the Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Speaking on behalf of the Governors, Ogun state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, commiserated with the wife and family of the late Governor, describing Akeredolu’s death as a huge loss to Nigerian Governors Forum.
He said that the late governor lived a very impactful life, noting that he was an activist, a highly accomplished senior lawyer, fearless, principle, dependable, and consistent.
Recalling his involvement in bringing together all the southern governors and his active participation in the Governor’s forum until his passing, Governor Abiodun added that the late Governor was a leader who never shied away from calling a spade a spade.
“We are here to commiserate with you and humbly request that you should consider this as a joint responsibility of all of us as we want to be a part of whatever plan the family would be implementing towards sending him forth.
“We are ready put up a committee together to work with the family in ensuring that we are able to give him a befitting burial.”
The governors, however, beseeched God to be with the wife, support her, and fortify the rest of the family, saying that they have lost a dependable ally.
In their appreciation, the family members thanked the Governors for their condolence visit and prayed that God will continually strengthen them.
“Thank you so much for coming and God bless you”, the family spokesman said.
