Akeredolu Was Strong Willed, Took Tough Decisions, Says Oyetibo

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr. Tayo Oyetibo Thursday paid tribute to former Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who lost a long battle with cancer.

Oyetibo described Akeredolu as a strong-willed man who never balked at taking tough decisions in the interest of his people.

Aketi, as he was fondly called in legal circles, became the 24th President of the association from 2008 to 2010 before he became Ondo State governor.

Oyetibo reacted to the news of the death in a statement titled “Akeredolu: Departure of a strong-willed man.”

He said: “The demise of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the former Governor of Ondo State, which sad event. was reported to have occurred on Wednesday 27 December 2023, was, undoubtedly, a great loss to the Legal Profession, Ondo State, and Nigeria, in general.

“As a former Attorney General of Ondo State, he made his mark as the Chief Law Officer of the State. As former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, he initiated programmes which sought to promote the interests of the Bar.

“Mr Akeredolu was a strong-willed man who spoke what he meant and meant what he said in every respect. At a very critical period when tough decisions needed to be taken in the interest of peace and security of Ondo State, he was not found in the company of timid and timorous souls. Rather, he stood firmly for the promotion of internal security of the State.

“At a time like this, one must accept the undeniable truism that it is God that giveth life and it is He that taketh it, and when the time for a man to die has come, it is purposeless to resist it. May his soul find rest in the bosom of the Lord.

“As the former acting Governor has taken his oath of office as Governor of the State, I urge him to put behind him the recent political dissents in the State and forge ahead to implement policies that will unite every segment of the State.”