Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, has expressed sadness at the death of the former Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who he described as his “personal lawyer”.
Sunrise reports that Akeredolu died on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 67.
Otti, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the late Akeredolu was a courageous fighter for the rights of the citizens.
He also described the late former Ondo governor as an astute lawyer, friend, interventionist in politics, and a man whom he shared special relationship with.
According to the Abia governor, “This is aside the fact that he was my personal lawyer prior to assuming office”.
Otti regretted that Akeredolu, who was serving out his second term in office, did not live long enough but asked the family to be encouraged by the impact he made and the legacy he left behind.
He specifically condoled the late governor’s wife, Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, who he described as his sister, and prayed that God will grant her and the entire family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Otti also congratulated the new Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was sworn-in shortly after the state government confirmed the death of Akeredolu.
He expressed confidence in Aiyedatiwa’s ability to steer the ship of Ondo State even though he was assuming office at a very critical moment in the political life of the state.
Otti said one of the ways the new governor would honour the memory of his late former boss was to see to the completion of the projects they started together.