TheCable

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals, has condoled with the family of Rotimi Akeredolu over the death of the former governor.

Akeredolu died on Wednesday due to complications from prostate cancer.

Following his death, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, was sworn in as the governor of Ondo.

In a condolence message, Alake said Akeredolu “carved a niche for himself as a bold and irrepressible defender of the interests of Ondo people”.

The minister added that the late governor “left an indelible mark in the political firmament” of the country.

“I am deeply shocked by the loss of a brother, friend and indeed one of the leaders of the progressive movement, late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu,” the message reads.

“His voice resonated across the country as a lodestar in the struggle for the entrenchment of true federalism.

“As state governor, he made the welfare of the people the focal point of governance.

“Nigeria has lost a titan, but we are consoled by the fact that he left an indelible mark in the political firmament.”