President Bola Tinubu yesterday in Owo, Ondo State, paid a condolence visit to the family of the late governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and visited the palace of the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III and Pa. Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere, a pan Yoruba socio-political organisation in Akure.
Accompanied by former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande and Chief Pius Akinyelure, Tinubu was received by the widow, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu.
During the visit, the president, who had a closed-door meeting with Mrs Akeredolu also visited the tomb of the late governor.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Chief Olayide Adelami were also at the Akeredolu’s residence.
Also present were Akeredolu’s siblings, Prof. Wole Akeredolu and Toyin Akeredolu and the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, Mr Ade Adetimehin.
In his tribute, the president described him as a fighter and fearless defender of truth and the masses.
“On behalf of my family, I appreciate Mr. President. We understand he couldn’t attend the burial ceremony due to the dictate of Yoruba culture. He couldn’t have attended the burial of his younger brother.
“Coming today is a big deal because we are in a better atmosphere. I also express my profound gratitude to the southern governors for their immense financial contributions to the burial, most especially, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who singlehandedly brought Aketi’s remains back to Nigeria. We appreciate this huge show of love and we are grateful and forever indebted to him.
“I requested that Mr. President see where Aketi has been laid to rest and he followed me. We are deeply grateful to Mr. President for coming. He’s indeed, Aketi’s brother and friend.
“I told Mr. President, yes, Aketi has left but he lives because he left behind legacies. It is our wish that those legacies continue and are built upon where necessary,” she added. At the palace of the Olowo, eulogised the late Akeredolu as a statesman and a distinguished legal luminary who served his people with unwavering dedication.
‘‘We lost an illustrious son. Akeredolu was very close to me and an ally. He was a son of the soil, and I have come to pay homage.”
He extended his prayers for the good health, progress, and prosperity of the traditional ruler and the community and thanked the people of Owo for their support to the bereaved family.