Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, on Wednesday, mourned the passing of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, who died at 67 and 65 respectively.
Bamidele lamented that Nigeria lost two patriotic sons to the cold hands of death at the time the country most required their services.
In a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Bamidele described Akeredolu and Na’Abba as illustrious citizens, who leveraged the public offices they occupied at different times to defend and promote the interests of their people.
He reflected on his encounter with Akeredolu not only as the Governor of Ondo State from 2017 to 2023, but also as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association between 2008 and 2010 as well as Attorney-General of Ondo State (1997-1999), during which, he said, served with utmost commitment.
As the Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum (2018-2023), Bamidele stated that Akeredolu would be remembered for how he provided strong leadership that culminated in the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network popularly known as Operation Amotekun.
He equally observed that the establishment of Operation Amotekun “eventually brought about order and stability in all South-west states and reduced activities of notorious herdsmen, occupying our farmlands, kidnapping our people; raping our women and displacing our people from their ancestral roots.”
Bamidele noted that “Arakunrin Akeredolu would also be remembered for how he valiantly pushed for a true federation; fought the cause of the downtrodden; advocated the rule of law and stood sturdily against injustice at the different phases of his public life.”
The senate leader also described. Na’Abba was an astute, fearless and progressive legislator, who stood against the undue interference of the executive between 1999 and 2003 in defence of the independence of the National Assembly.
According to him, Na’Abba fought hard for the independence of the legislature; committed himself to the principle of separation of powers and promoted the rule of law in his pursuit of a new Nigeria where unity and faith, peace and progress truly prevail in all spheres of life.