Senator Adegbonmire Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Governor Akeredolu on 70th Posthumous Birthday, Praising His Amotekun Legacy

Tributes have flooded in across Ondo State as political leaders, associates, and citizens marked the 70th posthumous birthday of the late former Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), celebrating his fearless governance and lasting impacts on regional security.

Leading the tributes from the National Assembly, the Senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN), issued a deeply reflective statement in Akure honoring his predecessor’s legal and political legacy. Adegbonmire described Akeredolu—who passed away in December 2023—as a rare statesman whose unwavering commitment to justice and accountable leadership continues to inspire Nigerians long after his departure.

Chief among the achievements highlighted in the tribute was Akeredolu’s historic role as the “Amotekun Generalissimo.” Adegbonmire noted that when regional insecurity threatened communities across the South-West, Akeredolu boldly championed the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed the Amotekun Corps. The move turned out to be a watershed moment in community policing, fundamentally transforming how regional governments protect civilian lives and farmland from armed violence.

“Late Akeredolu was truly a tree that almost made a forest,” Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire expressed in his anniversary tribute. “His uncommon courage, conviction, and exceptional leadership inspired countless others to believe that principled, fearless governance is possible. As the ‘Amotekun Generalissimo’, his bold initiative in institutionalizing regional security remains one of his greatest legacies. Though his absence is still deeply felt across our state and nation, his institutions and enduring impact continue to speak loudly for him.”

Beyond his frontline security interventions, the lawmaker commended Akeredolu’s distinguished career in the legal profession—including his tenure as President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)—and his transformative tenure as governor, which prioritized massive road infrastructure, healthcare, and industrial growth.

Calling on the government and residents of Ondo State to keep the late governor’s dream alive, Adegbonmire urged citizens to embrace courage, fairness, and selfless service in their everyday lives. He noted that while Akeredolu may no longer be physically present, his contributions as a defender of true federalism and constitutional democracy will remain permanently etched in Nigerian history.