Ohanaeze, Ngige mourn Akeredolu, describe him as great in-law, patriot

The Chidi Ibe faction of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has commiserated with the people of Ondo State on the death of the former governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Akeredolu, whose wife, Betty, is an Igbo daughter, died on December 27, 2023, after being defeated by leukemia and prostate cancer.

Ohanaeze’s condolences were contained in a statement issued by its factional Secretary General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro.

The statement reads in part: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Betty (Ezi Ada Igbo), as she grieves the loss of her beloved husband.

“Ohanaeze fondly remembers Akeredolu as an exceptional in-law, who fostered harmonious relationships between Ndigbo and their Yoruba hosts in Ondo State during his tenure. His commitment to creating a conducive atmosphere for all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion or state of origin, to reside and thrive in the state was commendable.

“The late former governor was not only a nationalist, but also a staunch advocate for restructuring, demonstrating his unwavering belief in a more equitable and just Nigeria. His legacy as a patriot will forever be cherished and remembered.”

MEANWHILE, former Governor of Anambra State and two-time Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has mourned the late Akeredolu, describing his demise as a huge personal loss and the progressives’ camp.

Ngige lamented that Akeredolu’s death has created a big void in the progressives’ camp, with the attendant loss of one of the big voices that can speak truth to power.

In a statement by his media office in Abuja, the former minister said he was shocked and pained by the news of Akeredolu’s death.

According to him, the late former governor transmuted from being his personal lawyer in a client-lawyer relationship to a family friend, to the extent that one of his sons married the daughter of his bosom friend, Chris Atuegwu.

He recalled that he was one of the leaders of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who Akeredolu had sought their advice and support before joining partisan politics, and later throwing his hat into the ring for his debut in the Ondo governorship election in 2012, which was unsuccessful.