—-Pays tribute to Akeredolu on 68th posthumous birthday

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

Governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), in Ondo state, Hon. Gbenga Edema, has said that the late governor Rotimi Akeredolu, would be remembered for his fearlessness and selflessness in the development and growth of Ondo State, the South-West, and the country at large.

Edema in a tribute to celebrate the 68th posthumous birthday of Akeredolu, eulogised him for championing the cause of the people and the voiceless during his tenure.

The governorship candidate stressed the values and principles that the former governor stood for.

According to him ” Akeredolu’s indelible footprints transcended the entire southwest and the country due to his fearlessness in giving voice against injustice as well as his posture and stance, which vibrated as beacons of hope for many.

However, Edema expressed disappointment at the lack of governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, efforts to honour the memory of his late predecessor during his posthumous birthday.

He lamented the lack of commitment by Aiyedatiwa to immortalise Akeredolu, months after his passing, noting that the remarkable strides and developments initiated by the late former governor face the threat of neglect.

According to him “The late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu was a beacon of hope for the people of Ondo State and the entire South West region.

” His commitment to justice and equity should have been honoured, but sadly, his legacy is being overlooked.

“Most of the infrastructural projects embarked upon by the Late Arakunrin have all been abandoned; contractors have since left the project sites.”

The former Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) lamented the neglect of Akeredolu’s remarkable contributions and observed that the late governor, who stood not only for Ondo State but the entire South West against injustice, was not duly recognised by his own state under Aiyedatiwa’s administration.

Edema also expressed dismay over the erosion of Akeredolu’s legacies.

He said that Aiyedatiwa had failed to uphold the late governor’s ideals, particularly the current administration’s silence on the recent attack on Amotekun Corps operatives by suspected herdsmen.

The governorship candidate, also decry the escalating insecurity in the state under Aiyedatiwa’s leadership.

He said that the tragic incident in Ose Local Government Area, where two individuals were killed by gunmen who also abducted five others a few days ago, calls for concerns.

“It is disheartening to witness the decline of the values that late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu worked so hard to instil in our state.

” His successor’s failure to uphold his legacy is a disservice to the people of Ondo State.

“He fought against all odds to ensure the creation of the South-West Security Network, which we all know as the Amotekun Corps.

“The recent violence and insecurity in Ondo State are unacceptable. We need decisive action to protect our people and restore peace to our communities.”

Meanwhile, Edema maintained that the state deserves the best in its quest to ensure that it gets the right leadership in the months ahead.