President of the Senate, Godwill Akpabio, has expressed shock over the death of Ondo state governor, Chief Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, describing him as “a nationalist and the Iroko of the Sunshine state.”

Akpabio in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh said Akeredolu was a leader that knew his onions and was indeed the Iroko of Ondo state as he defended the state with all his strength as governor.

The Senate President eulogized the late governor whom he said spent his active life fighting for justice, fairness and equity adding that as a nationalist, “Akeredolu believed in true federalism, which he pursued with passion and vigour.”

“I am sad that we have to lose Chief Rotimi Akeredolu this early in life. He was a leader that placed the interest of his people above every other consideration. He was a man of integrity and strong conviction with a strict work ethos and never paid lip service to the welfare of the people of the state.

“He was a fearless lawyer who spoke truth to power regardless of whose ox was gored. As governor, Chief Akeredolu left his footprints in the sands of history, executing landmark projects and implementing people-oriented policies that earned him a second term in office. A man of style, Chief Akeredolu was obsessed with excellence.

“I believe the people of Ondo, the South West, and the entire Nigeria, especially the progressives will sorely miss Chief Rotimi Akeredolu because he lived a purposeful and focused life and distinguished himself as a lawyer and one of the best-performing governors in the country.

“I wish to on behalf of my family and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria extend my sincere condolences to the Acting Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Government and people of Ondo State and particularly his wife, Her Excellency, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu and his immediate family. May God give you the fortitude to bear this untimely loss and may He have mercy on him and grant his soul eternal rest.”

Nigeria has lost a true democrat, Akpabio mourns NaÁbba

In a related development, Akpabio has expressed deep sadness at the death of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, who died in the early hours of Wednesday in Abuja at the age of 65.

The Senate President In a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, said it was saddening for the nation to lose Na’Abba at this time in its history.

The statement read: “On behalf of my family and the entire National Assembly, it is with intense sadness that I received the news of the shocking death of the second speaker of the House of Representatives of the 4thRepublic, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Ábba, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, December 27, 2023, in Abuja”.

He described the former speaker as a patriot, selfless politician, and true democrat who sacrificed his ambition by repelling dictatorship and instituting the independence of the Legislature.

“I am indeed saddened at the news of the death of Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, a patriot, a true democrat, a courageous and selfless politician, who staked his exalted position in the fight against dictatorship to preserve the independence of the Legislature and foster national development.

“I must say the mutual respect and understanding that exists between the Legislature and the Executive today is a direct product of the laudable antecedents of great leaders such as Na’Abba who sacrificed to institute genuine representative democracy in the country.

“As the second speaker of the 4thHouse of Representatives, I recall with nostalgia how Rt. Hon. Na’Abba stood like the great wall of Gibraltar against the excesses of the Executive to give the Nigerian electorate value for their votes by ensuring that the right things were done to keep our democracy afloat.

“We, at the National Assembly and in fact, all Nigerians of goodwill and advocates of true democratic ethos hold you in high esteem and will always remember that you were one politician who practiced what you preached.

“As you transit to the next world, I pray that Allah will have mercy on your soul and grant you Aljannah Firdaus. Rest on Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar NaÁbba.”