Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has expressed sadness over the death of his Ondo State counterpart, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, describing it as a painful loss to Yorubaland and Nigeria in general.
Makinde, in a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, expressed heartfelt condolences to the late governor’s wife, Betty, the entire family as wellas the government and people of Ondo state.
He described Akeredolu, who, until his death, was the Chairman of South-West Governors’ Forum, as a dogged fighter and courageous leader.
He said that the deceased worked hard with his colleague-governors for the peace, prosperity and progress of south-west states.
He said: “I received with great sadness the news of the death of my brother, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the governor of Ondo State and Chairman, South-West Governors’ Forum.
“I condole with his wife and children as well as the government and people of Ondo State over this sad loss.
“In Aketi, South-West has lost a dogged fighter and courageous leader who worked hard for the peace, prosperity and progress of the region.
“I have also lost a worthy co-fighter for the south-west cause because we were both at the vanguard of the struggle which birthed the South-West Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun,” he said.
The governor described Akeredolu’s fervent and unrelenting stance on issues bordering on south-west’s regional integration and progress as a lesson for leaders, adding that: “he will be sorely missed.”