The governors of South-West states, on Friday, said a committee would be set up to ensure a befitting burial for the late governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, who died in a German hospital on Wednesday after a protracted illness.
Speaking on behalf of other governors in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during a condolence visit to the family of the late Akeredolu, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described the late Akeredolu as a courageous individual whose vacuum would be difficult to fill.
He stated that the governors have decided to collectively take responsibility for Akeredolu’s funeral, adding that a joint committee of South-West states would be set up to work with the deceased’s family and the state government to accord him (Akeredolu) a befitting farewell.
Abiodun said, “Without a doubt, we are all still in a state of shock and disbelief. Akeredolu was the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Southern Governors’ Forum, a position he held and led very courageously, and fearlessly. He was a learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a successful second-term governor of the state.
“All of us are here on behalf of our families, the entire Southwestern states, to commiserate with the family and people of the state. Our prayer is that the Almighty God will forgive his sins and grant him eternal repose. We also pray the wife, children, family members and the state government to bear this very sad, shocking, and painful exit.
“This was a man who was an advocate for a southern presidency. We could recall vividly the reinvigorated Southern Governors’ Forum meeting in Delta State about two and half years ago. He championed the course that the presidency should come from the South, and he stayed with it among several others that he championed successfully. He will surely be missed by all of us. The vacuum he left will be very difficult to fill by everyone.”
