The acting governor of Ondo state, Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, has been sworn in as substantive chief executive of the state, with a promise to make the welfare of the people a major priority of his administration.
This followed the demise of the governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who reportedly died of prostate cancer in the early hours of Wednesday in Germany.
Aiyedatiwa’s inauguration came some 30 days after he survived an impeachment move by the State House of Assembly following a truce called between him and the lawmakers by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu November 25.
At the end of the truce, the state legislature confirmed the deputy governor in acting capacity December 13, a position he held until Akeredolu died in Germany.
…New gov speaks
Ayedatiwa was sworn in Wednesday at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office Alagbaka, Akure, by the state Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola.
It was gathered that the new governor hurriedly returned from his village where he had gone on Christmas break, at about 4.pm, for the inauguration.
Speaking at the brief and solemn event, the governor described his erstwhile boss’ death as devastating and shocking, even when the people of the state were praying for his quick recovery.
He commiserated with the late governor’s immediate family, Olowo of Owo, and the entire people of the state over the loss.
“The demise of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON is indeed a great loss to me as an individual as our relationship dated back to many years ago, having closely worked with him when his gubernatorial journey started in the Year 2012.
“The loss then did not affect our relationship as we continued to maintain close political and personal relationship which climaxed in Year 2020 when he graciously picked me as his running mate for his Second Term as Governor of Ondo State,” he said.
On the person of the late governor, Aiyedatiwa said: “Governor Akeredolu was a man of courage and conviction who always stood for the truth even at his detriment.
“I remember vividly when we had a case in court challenging our Second Term victory. He still pursued the matter of emplacing a strong security network for the people of the Southwest codenamed ‘Amotekun Corps’.
“The People of Ondo State and the entire people of the Southwest will be eternally grateful for this bold act which has greatly improved the security architecture in the Region and reduced incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and other acts of criminalities to the barest minimum especially in Ondo State.
“His many legacies in the health sector, infrastructural development, education, industrial development as symbolised in the Ondo-Vinyl Industrial Hub, Ore, his innovation in Ondo State Entrepreneurial Development Agency, his Tech Hub, etc will be difficult to surpass.
“The events which culminated in today’s ceremony is a watershed in the history of Ondo State as this is the first time we are having a transition in an administration.
“Today’s event has placed a burden on all of us to pull together and stay together as one because we have the onerous responsibility to continue to sustain the legacies of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, which was good governance, properly called.
“Our leader and Governor, during his time embarked upon several landmark projects, many of which have been completed and several ones ongoing. We now have the responsibility to complete them. It is to the credit of Arakunrin Akeredolu, that the State now has a flyover in Ore, while the one in Akure is ongoing.
“It is necessary for us to acknowledge with pride the wonderful achievements and legacies of Arakunrin Akeredolu. His records of performance are monumental and unprecedented.”
To the people of the state, the governor said: “We shall always place the people first in every decision we take. It is my prayer, once more, that God Almighty shall grant the family and the people of Ondo State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“Let me use this opportunity to convey our deep appreciation to Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the National Chairman of our party, His Excellency Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the leaders of the party both at the National and State levels, the elders of our State, for providing succour and support to our State at this critical time.”
Ayedatiwa declared a three-day mourning, beginning from Thursday, during which flags will flow at half-mast.
On the cause of the death, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, said: “Mr Governor peacefully departed from this world in the early hours of today, Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
“This tragedy has left behind a profound void in our hearts. Governor Akeredolu answered the eternal call while receiving medical treatment in Germany. He succumbed to complications arising from protracted prostate cancer.”
Governor’s aide resigns
And as the new helmsman mounted the saddle, the special adviser to the governor on union matters and special duties, Dare Aragbaye, tendered his letter of resignation.
He wrote: “I write to refer to the subject above and to resign my appointment as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties with effect from today, Wednesday, 27 December, 2023.
“My decision to resign is based on the unfortunate death of my Principal a fearless and honest leader, Governor Arakunm Oluwarotimi Oduriayo Akeredolu, SAN CON, whom I am loyal to oven in death.
“I sincerely thank His Excellency for the opportunity granted me to serve in his administration as a member of the State Executive Council first as a Head of Service and now, Special Adviser.”
…Tinubu mourns Akeredolu, Na’Abba
In his reaction, President Tinubu described the late governor as “a gallant lawyer and one of the finest of the legal profession.”
“Governor Akeredolu was not just a friend and associate, the departed leader was a brother and a soul mate. His death is a blow to our governing APC and the progressive family as we are diminished by it,” the president said Wednesday in a personally signed statement.
Tinubu’s tribute reads: “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 am I having the difficult job of singing a dirge for Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, my beloved brother, confidant, political soul mate, and the Executive Governor of Ondo State.
“It is an impossible task to fully 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 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 over the past six years, he served his people with absolute loyalty, dedication, and forthrightness. His footprints dot the entire landscape of the state through the hundreds of kilometers 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 on him to contest for the governorship position of Ondo State in 2012.
“Even though he did not make it in his 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 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 and associate, the departed leader was a brother and a soul mate.
“His death is a blow to our governing APC and the progressive family as we are diminished by it. I hope that his successor Aiyedatiwa will hold steadfast to the vision of governance left by this towering political leader.”
Similarly, President Tinubu also sympathised with the Na’Abba family, the government and people of Kano state over the passing away of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives (1999 to 2003), Ghali Umar Na’Abba.
Na’Ábba, died in the early hours of Wednesday in Abuja at the age of 65.
He represented Kano Municipal between 1999 and 2003, became the speaker after Alhaji Salisu Buhari resigned from the position.
While expressing grief at the loss, the president recalled the contributions of the late ex-lawmaker to nation-building through legislation, advocacy and policy.
He recalled Na’Abba’s determined struggle to defend the functionality and role of the legislature in governance, describing him as a disciplined and resolute politician.
The president prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed and comfort for those who mourn this painful loss.
