Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has expressed sadness at the death of the former Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who he described as his “personal lawyer”.
Akeredolu died on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at the age of 67 years.
Otti, through a statement on Saturday, described the late Akeredolu as a courageous fighter for the rights of the citizens.
He further described the late former governor as an astute lawyer, friend, interventionist in politics, and a man whom he shared special relationship with.
Otti said: “This is aside the fact that he was my personal lawyer prior to assuming office”.
Otti regretted that Akeredolu, who was serving out his second term in office, did not live long enough but asked the family to be encouraged by the impact he made and the legacy he left behind.
He specifically condoled with the late governor’s wife, Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, who he described as his sister, and prayed that God will grant her and the entire family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Otti also congratulated the new Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was sworn-in shortly after the State government confirmed Akeredolu’s death.
He expressed confidence in Aiyedatiwa’s ability to steer the ship of Ondo State even though he is assuming office at a critical moment in the political life of the State.
Otti said one of the ways the new governor would honour the memory of his late former boss is to see to the completion of the projects they started together.