Four Southwest governors have pledged to form a joint burial committee with the family of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.
This was disclosed by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State on behalf of the governors during a condolence visit to Akeredolu’s family on Friday.
Akeredolu died on Wednesday in Germany after battling with prostate cancer.
The governors include Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who was represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal.
Addressing journalists after signing the condolence register, Abiodun said a joint committee would soon be set up to work with the family and collaborate with the Ondo State government to ensure a befitting burial for the late governor.
He said: “Governors of the South West states are here to commiserate with the Akeredolu family and Ondo State Government on the passage of our senior colleague and brother, His Excellency, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, who the Lord has called.
We are still in a state of shock over Akeredolu’s demise. He was the chairman of the South West Governors Forum and chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, positions he led very courageously and fearlessly until his death.
“All of us are here, on behalf of our families and the entire people of South West states, to commiserate with the family, people, and government of Ondo State.
“We pray that Almighty God will forgive all his sins. We also pray that God will grant the wife, children, people, and government of Ondo State the heart to bear this sad, shocking, and painful exit.
We recall vividly how he resuscitated the southern governors’ forum meeting in Delta about two-and-a-half years ago and he consistently advocated for the return of the presidency to the South. He will be sorely missed by all of us.”