A somber mood engulfed the usually bustling Ondo State Governor’s office in Akure on Wednesday following the news of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s death. News of his passing after a prolonged illness began circulating in the morning, prompting an official silence from the government but casting a pall over the state capital.
Multiple government sources, speaking anonymously, confirmed Akeredolu’s demise. The governor’s office, typically a hive of activity even on the first working day after Christmas, became deserted, with only security personnel stationed at the entrance. Locked doors and empty desks underscored the gravity of the situation.
Meanwhile, Reverend Father Anselm Ologunwa, the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), expressed shock and profound grief in a statement released by the association’s Director of Information and Communications, Mr. Daisi Ajayi.
Reverend Ologunwa, describing Akeredolu as “a colossal loss to Ondo State and Nigeria,” lauded him as a “great fighter of democracy” and a “dedicated and loving father of all.”
Ologunwa noted Akeredolu’s leadership qualities, ranging from his establishment of the Amotekun security outfit to his unwavering stance on national unity.
He commended the governor’s decisiveness, earning him the moniker “Mr. Talk and Do,” and cited the numerous infrastructure projects, including roads, buildings, and social initiatives, undertaken during his administration.
Acknowledging the immense void left by Akeredolu’s passing, Ologunwa expressed faith in God’s providence and offered condolences to the people of Ondo State and the Akeredolu family.
He implored God to grant the departed governor eternal rest.
