The South West Governors’ Forum has promised to work with the family of the immediate past Governor of Ondo State, late Arakunrin Olúwarótìmí Akérédolú and set up a burial committee to give the deceased a befitting burial he deserves.
This was the statement of the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun who spoke on behalf of his other South West colleagues when they paid a condolence visit to the Ibadan home of the late Ondo State Governor.
It would be recalled that Akeredolu died on Wednesday after a long battle with leukaemia and prostate cancer that had rendered him incapacitated for several months.
“All of us are here on behalf of our family, the entire people and government of our various South Western states to commiserate with the family and the people and government of Ondo State.
“Our prayer is that the almighty God will forgive all his sins and grant repose of his soul. We also pray that he grants the wife, his children, the family member, the people and government of Ondo State the heart to bear this very sad, shocking painful exit.” Abiodun stated.
Abiodun described Akeredolu, who was the chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, as a fearless and a courageous leader.
“This was a man who was an advocate of Southern Presidency. You would recall vividly we held the reinvigorated Southern Governors’ Forum meeting in Delta about two and a half years ago and he championed that course that the presidency must come to the South and he stuck with it, among several courses he fought and championed successfully.
“Governor Akeredolu will be sorely missed by all of us. The void he has left will be difficult to to fill by everyone.
“Collectively, we will be partly, majorly responsible for the funeral rites and according him the farewell that he deserves. The forum and the family will be setting up a joint committee of the South West and the state to work with the family and collaborate with government of Ondo State to ensure that we give him a deserving farewell.” Abiodun stated.
Governors of Osun, Ogun and Ekiti States – Ademola Adeleke, Dapo Abiodun and Abiodun Oyebamiji were led by Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal on the condolence visit to the Ibadan home of the deceased Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, while Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu was said to be on his way as at the time of the visit.