Oyo State Governor and Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared three days of state mourning for the deceased Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The governor, who gave the directive, yesterday, equally ordered that all flags at public offices in the state be flown at half-mast for three days.

Also, the Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW), yesterday, declared a seven-day mourning, following the death of the governor.

YCW also expressed condolences and sympathies to the government and people of Ondo State over the sudden passing of Akeredolu.

In a statement by its Global President, Oladotun Hassan, the Council described Akeredolu’s death as a significant loss not only to the people of Ondo State but also to the entire Yoruba race and the nation at large.

The Council commended Akeredolu’s efforts in promoting education, healthcare, security and infrastructural development in Ondo State, which led to significant improvements in the lives of the people.

It further noted that the late governor’s passion for the emancipation of the Yoruba people and his rear commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria would remain an enduring legacy.

The Council, therefore, urged the people of Ondo State to remain calm and united during the trying time, assuring them of their unwavering support and prayers.

It further extended condolences to the family of the late governor, particularly his wife and children, and prayed for the repose of his soul.

SIMILARLY, the Yoruba Leaders of Thought (YLT) has described the death of Akeredolu as a great loss to the country and the Yoruba people.

In a statement, yesterday, the Yoruba group, led by Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, mourned the departure of Akeredolu, saying that he was a nationalist to the core who put the interest of the nation above other interests.

The group, while commiserating with the people of Ondo State on the loss of their governor, noted that when the South-West was facing attacks from marauding criminals, the late governor rallied his fellow governors to fight and protect the people, leading to the formation of the South-West security outfit, Amotekun Corps.

It, however, urged the new governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to follow the footsteps of the late governor by putting the interest of the people of the state above other interests.
MEANWHILE, the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, yesterday, said that Akeredolu’s departure would be felt and the vacuum he left might not be too easy to fill.

The DAWN Commission, in a statement from the office of its Director-General, Dr Seye Oyeleye, said: “We are going to really miss Arakunrin Akeredolu and the reason is not far-fetched. He is one of the leaders of the South-West that is genuinely interested in what we do at the Commission.”

THE All Progressives Congress (APC), South-West Caucus, yesterday, expressed deep shock over the demise of Akeredolu.

A condolence message signed by the Publicity Secretary of the Caucus, Ayo Afolabi, said the party was saddened by the news of the demise of Akeredolu after a protracted illness.

The South-West leadership of the party, however, appealed to Aiyedatiwa to work hard for the unity of the party in the state and the good of all citizens of Ondo.

In another condolence message, Deputy Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, who is also the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, described Akeredolu’s death a sad silencing a loud voice for justice, equity and fairness in Nigeria.

FORMER Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, yesterday, described the death of Akeredolu as a monumental loss, and a big lesson that those in positions of authority must always strive to defend the interest of Nigerians.

George, who in a statement expressed condolences over the death of the governor, said he was devastated by the news of the death of the legal giant and politician of note who was once the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked President Bola Tinubu to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after the late Ondo State Governor, Akeredolu

The group, however, admonished Nigerian politicians to draw a philosophical lesson from the earthly departure of the legal colossus and avoid unleashing hardship, corruption and mis-governance on the citizens.

HURIWA said irrespective of the inexplicable bad and toxic politics orchestrated by loyalists of the late governor that frustrated the enforcement of constitutional process of transition of power to the then deputy governor, the departed governor of Ondo State would be remembered as an icon of democracy who worked tirelessly to ensure that power came back to South.