• Says late governor ‘a fearless fighter’
• Reaffirms commitment to restructuring with solid foundation
• Aiyedatiwa, Akinterinwa trade words over President’s visit

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Tinubu, who visited the late Akeredolu’s family in Owo, Ondo State, days after the former governor was buried, said the void left by the departed governor would be difficult to fill, adding that his legacies will endure forever.

“He truly embodied courage and fearlessness, especially in his relentless pursuit of good governance. I can only describe him as a fearless fighter. His unwavering commitment to the welfare of his people and his courageous nature will always be remembered,” he said.

The widow of the late governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, said: “On behalf of my family, I appreciate the President. We understood he couldn’t attend the burial ceremony due to the dictates of Yoruba culture. He couldn’t have attended the burial of his younger brother.

“Coming today is a big deal because we are in a better atmosphere. I also express profound gratitude to the southern governors for their immense financial contributions to the burial, especially Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who single handedly brought Aketi’s remains back to Nigeria. We appreciate this huge show of love, and we are grateful and forever indebted to him.”

The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, while welcoming the President, expressed appreciation to him for the visit.

The monarch described the late Akeredolu as a true democrat who was fully committed to democratic principles and practices.

Tinubu also visited Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of Afenifere.

The President expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts of his administration would lead to a significant improvement in the country’s economic situation, ultimately lifting Nigerians out of the current hardship.

He stressed the importance of laying a solid foundation to ensure the success of the reform initiatives.

Fasoranti, who commended him for keeping his word to return to his residence after emerging as President, said: “You are the first member of Afenifere to be elected President of Nigeria. Olu Falae tried in 1999 but he did not get the prize. Today, you are carrying our flag. We are noted for integrity, competence, fairness and courage.”

MEANWHILE, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Wale Akinterinwa, yesterday, accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of allegedly preventing leaders and members of the party from welcoming President Bola Tinubu to the state.

Akinterinwa, who described the development as undemocratic, said the visit of Tinubu to the state was a private one and not a state visit, which was not in the purview of the governor.

A statement by the Spokesperson of the campaign organisation of the aspirant, Segun Ajiboye, said the usual tradition was for party members to mobilise and receive the President in the state.

He said: “This to us is the most undemocratic, disrespectful, unreasonable, and disdainful attempt by any chief executive in the history of democracy in Nigeria.

“Ordinarily, we would not have responded, but based on the intelligent report at our disposal that he (Aiyedatiwa) and his supporters have perfected plans to unleash mayhem on our people both at Owo and Akure, it is necessary for us to bring this to the attention of peace-loving Nigerians.

“The directive that no supporter or aspirant should come to the airport to welcome the President, who is on a private visit and not on a state visit, is a directive from ignorant minds in Alagbaka.

“It is a tradition that whenever the President visits any state, members of his party offer him their love and support by welcoming him in their droves. It does not matter whether it is election year or not.”

But reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor said that the President’s visit was a state affair and not a political or campaign one.

“Only government officials and those accredited by the government will have the opportunity to receive the President at the airport, not a campaign crowd,” he said.