Governors of the six states of the southwest of the country including, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, and Ekiti under the aegis of Southwest Governors Forum will be collaborating with their Ondo state counterpart to give the late governor of the state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu a befitting burial.
The Forum said it has communicated the same to the family of the late governor, adding that a joint committee will be set up to achieve the cause.
The governors spoke through the governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun on Friday, December 29, when he led three other governors of the southwestern state on a condolence visit to the family of the late governor at their Jericho, Ibadan residence.
Other governors in the company of the Ogun governor include Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Oyo state deputy governor, Bayo Lawal who represented Governor Seyi Makinde.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was said to have missed the trip with the other governors due to flight delay.
Makinde is currently out of the country on holiday.
Recall that the late governor Akeredolu, a second-term governor of Ondo state, who died on Wednesday, December 27, is the chairman of both the Southwestern Governors Forum and the Southern Governors Forum.
The governors arrived at the Akeredolu’s residence at about 1:15 pm in a convoy of over 20 cars.
Journalists were barred from entering the room where the governors were received. A big write-up banning the use of videos, cameras and or recording was pasted on the large expanse door leading into the large room.
A stern-looking man was also on hand to ensure compliance with the directive as he barked out directives and orders stopping journalists from entering the room and covering the visit.
However, unlike other times, journalists were allowed to sit inside the compound where a canopy and drinks had been provided for interested visitors.
While the governors were there, a former Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore arrived at the residence wearing a sombre look with his trademark cap.
Addressing journalists in the company of the three other governors shortly after the visit to the family, Governor Abiodun said the late Governor Akeredolu will be sorely missed by all of his governor-colleagues, adding that the void he left behind will be very difficult to fill by everyone.
He said all the governors are still in a state of shock and disbelief at the demise of Akeredolu whom he described as a senior colleague and brother.
Governor Abiodun said,
“We are all here, governors of the southwestern states of Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Lagos will soon be here, he had some flight issues.
“We are here to commiserate with the Akeredolu family and also the Ondo state government on the passing of our senior colleague and brother, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who the Lord has called to his side.
“Without a doubt, we are all still in a state of shock and disbelief. When we heard the news we were shocked and in dismay but we cannot question God. In all things, we are to thank God.
“We thank God that Governor Akeredolu lived a life of impact on every side. He did well, not just in Ondo state but in the Southwest, the whole South, and the entire country.
“He was a senior advocate of law and a highly intelligent governor. He played a prominent role in ensuring that the Presidency returned to the South and he stood firm his ground. He worked so hard. He is reliable and dependable and we all feel very hurt at his death.
“We as the governors of the Southwest have agreed that we will give him a befitting burial and we have people who will work with the family and government of Ondo state for a befitting funeral rites.
“Governor Akeredolu was the Chairman of the Southwestern Governor’s Forum, he was the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, a position that he held, he led very courageously, very fearlessly. He was a learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a successful second term governor of Ondo state.”
He said further,
“All of us are here on behalf of our families, the entire people of our various states of the Southwest, to commiserate with the family and people and government of Ondo state.
“Our prayer is that the Almighty God will forgive all his sins and grant the repose of his soul. We also pray that he grants the wife, his children, his family members, the people and the government of Ondo state the heart to bear this very sad and shocking and painful exit.
“This is a man who was an advocate for the Southern presidency. We recall vividly the reinvigorated Southern Governors Forum meeting in Delta about two and half years ago and he championed that course that the Presidency must come to the South and he stayed with it, among several courses that he championed and fought successfully.
“Governor Akeredolu will be sorely missed by all of us. The void he left behind will be very difficult to fill by everyone.
“Collectively, we will be partly, majorly responsible for the funeral rites in according to him a farewell that he deserves. We have expressed that to the family, we will be setting up a joint committee of the Southwestern states to work with the family and collaborate with the government of Ondo state to ensure that we give him a deserving farewell.”
Earlier before the visit to the Akeredolus’, the Southwest governors had gathered at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan separately.
On arrival, the governors were ushered into the private chamber of the governor for a closed-door meeting.
They were received by Makinde’s deputy, Bayo Lawal before going in a convoy on a condolence visit to the Akeredolus’.
Meanwhile, it was observed on Friday that State flags flew at half-mast at the Oyo state Secretariat in line with the directive of Governor Makinde.
It was reported that Governor Makinde had on Thursday declared a three-day mourning in the state in honour of the late former Ondo governor.
