Coalition of Pro-democracy Groups for a Better Nigeria has said the international community of civil society has been thrown into mourning by the deaths of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and ex-House of Representatives Speaker, Ghali Na’Abba.

The National Coordinator of the coalition, Mr Bamiji Awa, in a statement, yesterday, in Lagos, said the death of the two Nigerian politicians was a big blow to civil society groups, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

“We have just been thrown into mourning by the deaths of two key figures in Nigeria, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondo and Na’Abba, who represented Kano Municipal Federal Constituency in House of Representatives.

“The community of civil society organisations in Nigeria and beyond is touched by the sudden deaths of Arakunrin Akeredolu and Na’Abba; we shall continue to miss them,” Awa said.

According to him, both leaders died in early hours of yesterday.
Noting that death remained inevitable, Awa said Akeredolu was a selfless leader while Na’Abba would be remembered for his contributions to the nation.

“From God we come, unto Him we shall return. They (Akeredolu/Na’Abba) came, they saw and they conquered,” he said.
Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association was born on July 21, 1956, and died on yesterday at the age of 67.

The ailing governor returned to Nigeria in September following a three-month medical leave in Germany, and only recently proceeded on another leave before the news of his death broke out.

On the other hand, Na’Abba died at the National Hospital in Abuja at 65.
Late Na’Abba, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), became the party’s candidate for Kano Municipal Federal Constituency and won the seat in the 1999 General Elections.

He subsequently emerged the speaker after the political crisis that led to the exit of the first speaker of the Fourth Republic, Salisu Buhari.
ALSO, human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN; former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Olumide Akpata and Dr Olukayode Ajulo (SAN) have expressed their sadness over the passing Akeredolu.

Adegboruwa said the late governor was a man of courage, valiant and steadfast, committed to true federalism and good governance and always saying the truth the way it is.

In his tribute, Adegboruwa said: “He rallied national support against terrorism and rose in defence of his people when it mattered most.”

On his part, Akpata lauded the late governor for his commitment to NBA and his assiduous work toward the transformation of the administration of the justice system.

“My engagement with him revealed a genuine human being, a man truly committed to fundamental human rights and social progress. He embodied and personified the highest ethical values of the Bar, an advocate for justice, a defender of rights and true social engineer.”

Ajulo (SAN), on his part, said Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was a paragon of boldness and fearlessness.

“His spirit knew no bounds when it came to standing up for what he believed in, consequences be damned. He possessed a rare courage that allowed him to express his thoughts, whether they were received as good or bad. His words resonated with unwavering honesty, a testament to his commitment to truth and justice. In a world often mired in silence and complacency, his unwavering voice served as a beacon of inspiration,” he said.