Labour Party (LP) standard bearer in the last presidential election, Mr Peter Obi, has described the late former governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, as a dogged fighter and principled leader.
Speaking at the Jericho home of the late governor during his condolence visit yesterday, Obi in company of Professor Pat Utomi, said he was a dogged fighter and forthright person who stood on the side of the masses at all times.
He prayed to God to grant the family, the Ondo State people and the entire country the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss just as he prayed for eternal rest for the departed governor.
Also, Prof Utomi, who was a classmate of the late governor at Loyola College Ibadan in the 60s recalled that the character traits displayed by Akeredolu in the governance of Ondo State had been part of him right from secondary school.
According to him, Akeredolu was not one who would keep quiet in the face of oppression and that he never compromised on justice and equity.
While condoling with the people of Ondo State on the passing of Akeredolu, Utomi described his death as a colossal loss to both the state and the country.
On behalf of the family, the immediate younger brother of the deceased, Prof Wole Akeredolu, thanked Obi and Utomi for the visit and their support for the family.
In his remark in the condolence register, Obi wrote: “May God Almighty who called you home grant you eternal rest in His kingdom and grant your family and all of us the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. God Almighty bless your family.”