The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has described the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as a committed, loyal and courageous democrat who always say the truth no matter whose ox is gored.
The Presidential Aide disclosed this on Thursday, 28 December, 2023, via statement on the death of the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Akeredolu died on Wednesday, 27 December, 2023, after long battle with Leukemia. He was aged 67.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire described the news of the death of Akeredolu as sudden, sad and tragic, bearing in mind that he was recuperating from his illness.
“We are all humans and sometimes we succumb to the demand of nature which sickness is part of. My belief therefore was hinged on the recuperation of Arakunrin Akeredolu.
“When his death was thus announced this morning, Wednesday, 27 December, 2023, it was an unexpected, tragic news,” she said.
She described Arakunrin Akeredolu as “a democrat to the core. He was a committed progressive. He was a loyal member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was always leading from the front and until his death was the Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum.
“Arakunrin Akeredolu was actively involved in the struggle, campaign and eventual emergence of our great leader, father and mentor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“He was such a courageous man, always speaking the truth no matter whose ox is gored”.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire stated that Akeredolu’s death came at the his wealth of experience, wisdom and sagacity are needed most, thus leaving a sour taste in the mouth.
“But who are we to question God? He alone determines when to come to this world and when to leave, and for Him, it’s the appointed time of our brother and leader,” she said.
The former Deputy Governor of Lagos State commiserated with the government of Nigeria, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government and people of Ondo State, the Progressive family and the APC.
“I equally condole with Mrs Betty Akeredolu and the entire nuclear and extended Akeredolu family of Owo Kingdom.
“May Arakunrin Akeredolu find peaceful rest in the bossom of his Creator,” the Presidential Aide said.
