Breaking: Akeredolu is dead

 

The president posted on his twitter page;

I grieve for my brave brother, Timi Akeredolu. 

Writing an eulogy and singing a dirge for a passing soul is a challenging endeavour. In our African culture, helping a younger person is considered a more challenging task. Here I am, faced with the challenging task of singing a dirge for Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, my dear brother, confidant, and political soulmate. 

Rotimi is a towering figure whose human essence I cannot adequately describe in words. As a senior advocate, attorney general of his beloved state, president of the Nigerian Bar Association, and governor of Ondo State, Rotimi was a man who moved our nation towards equity, fairness, and justice through his steadfast advocacy against every form of injustice in our country through the instrumentality of the law. 

Rotimi was a voice of strength in the desert, urging us to reconsider our security architecture in order to create a more secure nation during a difficult period in our statehood when roving agents of darkness extended their tendrils throughout our nation. His tireless efforts resulted in the establishment of the South West's local police force. 

As fellow members of the progressive family, Rotimi and I began our personal journey together. In order to reinstate progressive governance in the South West, Edo State, and Nigeria overall, we engaged in numerous struggles together. Rotimi remained unwavering and unrepentant during this unsettling time. In our fights to recover our stolen mandates in the states of Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, and Osun, he displayed extraordinary bravery as a member of our legal team. An honourable attorney and among the best in the field. In 2012, I invited him to run for the governorship of Ondo State. His excitement and will to serve his people never wavered, even if he didn't succeed on his first try. In the end, he arrived at the Alagbaka Government House in his second

Rotimi left us too soon, although he did a good job in his capacity. His likes will never be seen by us again. Permit me to express my condolences to the people of Ondo State. We shall pay tribute to Rotimi and ensure that his service legacy is never overlooked.

    I have called Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his wife Betty in my sorrow and grief, urging them to find solace in this national catastrophe.

Governor Akeredolu was a brother and soul mate in addition to being a friend, ally, and associate.