Senate President, Akpabio mourns Akeredolu, Na’Abba

By Musa Baba Adamu

President of the Senate, Senator Godwill Akpabio has mourned the deaths of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Info state and Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’ Abba who both passed aways yesterday after protracted ailments.
Reacting to the death of Akeredolu, Sen Akpabio described him as “a nationalist and the Iroko of the Sunshine state.”
In a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh said Akeredolu was a leader that knew his onions and was indeed the Iroko of Ondo state as he defended the state with all his strength as governor.
The Senate President eulogized the late governor whom he said spent his active life fighting for justice, fairness and equity adding that as a nationalist, “Akeredolu believed in true federalism, which he pursued with passion and vigour.
“He was a fearless lawyer who spoke truth to power regardless of whose ox was gored. As governor, Chief Akeredolu left his footprints in the sands of history, executing landmark projects and implementing people-oriented policies that earned him a second term in office. A man of style, Chief Akeredolu was obsessed with excellence.
“I believe the people of Ondo, the South West, and the entire Nigeria, especially the progressives will sorely miss Chief Rotimi Akeredolu because he lived a purposeful and focused life and distinguished himself as a lawyer and one of the best-performing governors in the country.
Also mourning the Speaker of the fourth National Assembly, Na’ Abba, Sen. Akpabio said the country had lost a patriot.
The Senate President in a condolence said it was saddening for the nation to lose Na’Abba at this time in its history.
He said: “On behalf of my family and the entire National Assembly, it is with intense sadness that I received the news of the shocking death of the second speaker of the House of Representatives of the 4th Republic, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Ábba, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, December 27, 2023, in Abuja”.
He described the former speaker as a patriot, selfless politician, and true democrat who sacrificed his ambition by repelling dictatorship and instituting the independence of the Legislature.
“I am indeed saddened at the news of the death of Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, a patriot, a true democrat, a courageous and selfless politician, who staked his exalted position in the fight against dictatorship to preserve the independence of the Legislature and foster national development.