Former President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele joined in mourning the passing of two prominent figures, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and former Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba, extolling their remarkable contributions to Nigerian politics and law.
President Buhari expressed profound grief over Governor Akeredolu’s demise, hailing him as a towering political and legal luminary.
A statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday quoted him as saying, “I have lost a valued friend.
I pray that his soul finds eternal peace. My thoughts are with the countless people who are inspired by his leadership in law and politics.
“My condolences to his family, the government, the people of Ondo State, and our party, the All Progressives Congress.”
In the message to the large Na’Abba family in Kano, the government, and the people of the state, the former President described the demise of the former Speaker, House of Representatives, as a national loss.
“His insight into issues and nuanced understanding of politics had few parallels.
The statement recalled that Speaker Na’Abba was at the forefront of the defence of democracy at a time when it faced the threat of extinction by powerful forces.
He leaves us with innumerable memories of his activism in politics.
“May Allah forgive his wrong deeds,” Buhari prayed.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, in his tribute, lamented the loss of two patriotic sons of Nigeria—Governor Akeredolu and former Speaker Na’Abba.
In a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Wednesday, Bamidele described the duo of 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.
Bamidele, specifically, reflected on his encounter with Akeredolu not only as the Governor of Ondo State (2017-2023), but also as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (2008-2010) and Attorney-General of Ondo State (1997-1999), during which he served with utmost commitment.
As the Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum (2018-2023), Bamidele observed that Arakunrin Akeredolu would be remembered for how he provided strong leadership that culminated in the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network (a.k.a. Operation Amotekun).
He equally observed that the establishment of Operation Amotekun “eventually brought about order and stability in all South-West states and reduced the 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 Hon. Na’Abba as 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, Hon. 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, faith, peace, and progress truly prevail in all spheres of life.
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