Governors’ Forum Chairman, Makinde, Condole with Akeredolu’s Family 

The duo arrived the Jericho home of the late governor at about 5:30PM, on Wednesday, and went straight into the private residence where the wife, Betty Akeredolu and some immediate family members were mourning.

The presence of journalists to cover the visit generated a negative reaction from some of the children of the deceased who ordered all the journalists to vacate the residence on the grounds that it was a private residence and not Government House.

Swift intervention of some colleagues calmed the frayed nerves as the reporters who had laid siege at the entrance gates of the residence to monitor situation felt angry at the reaction.

Apparently sensing what had happened, the two governors, after the visit, walked out to the street where the journalists were waiting to interview the visitors and granted interviews.

The Kwara State governor, who described the death as a great loss to the nation, lauded the deceased governor for his commitment and impact on humanity, recounting that the late Aketi rose to the peak of his career and politics, and impacted greatly on humanity in developmental politics.

AbdulRazaq said: “We met the wife. We can just continue to pray that his soul will continue to rest in peace and may God give the family the fortitude to bear the loss. It is indeed a great loss for the nation. This is a man that rose to the height of his chosen career, the bar. 

“He rose to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He rose to the height of politics, he was the governor of a state. He impacted greatly on humanity in developmental politics. All we can say for now is that may his soul rest in peace,” the NGF Chairman noted.

He disclosed that the two governors had paid the condolence visit on behalf of all the members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, praying further for the repose of the soul of the former Speaker, House of Representatives, Dr Ghali Naabba, asking that Allah may forgive him his sins and give him aljannah firdus.

Also in his brief remarks, Governor Makinde described Akeredolu’s death as a big loss for him personally and for the Southwest as a whole, lamenting that he had lost a friend, a brother, a courageous individual who didn’t mince words but spoke truth to power, and someone with whom he had been in the trenches together.

He said: “When we were going to set up the Amotekun Corps, he was pivotal to it. And when we took the decision for Southern presidency, himself and the former governor of Anambra, chaired the meeting at the Delta Government House.

Governor Makinde said Akeredolu has impacted humanity, and the Southwest of Nigeria while he was alive.