Arákùnrin Akérédolú was a true patriot who served his fatherland with every fibre of his being. We must remember that Noble Warrior who was resolutely determined to secure our Yorubaland and by extension, our nation – from the grip of insurgents, bandits and herders who were bent on destroying our way of life – he had a blueprint fit for the complexities specific to the South West and which is now being adapted to other regions. Beyond security, his administration reflected discipline and purpose. He championed the rule of law, upheld judicial independence, and insisted on accountability in public office
IT is exactly two years ago on 27th December 2023 that the Late Governor of Ondo State, Arákùnrin Rótìmí Akérédolú went to be with the Lord. Whilst Nigerians, home and abroad, especially those from the Western Region of the country, are celebrating Christmas in relative peace and security, I would want us to spare a moment to remember the indefatigable noble warrior, Aketi, who spearheaded the creation of the South Western Security Network, codenamed Operation Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn. In the face of untold, fierce opposition and federal bullying, Aketi was resolute in his belief and commitment to guaranteeing the security of his people in the South West region, where he was, fortuitously, the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum.
The history of Yorubaland, especially when regional or state security arrangements is concerned, will not only be incomplete, but dastardly misleading, if it fails to recognise the pivotal role played by Arákùnrin Akérédolú in championing the establishment of Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn. His dogged and unyielding resolution to birth Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn in the South West, amidst weighty opposition from the North in particular and legal challenges from the Federal government of the Late President Buhari, should be seen as a service to the nation, which both secures and guarantees the relative peace and security we enjoy today. Had he not stood his ground and garnered the support of his fellow South West governors, the story of the South West region could have been different today.
Our forests from Ondo State through Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Oyo States were being infiltrated and the kind of fear and mayhem that had become the unfortunate daily realities of our fellow citizens in the North were being brazenly introduced to the South West. I recall having my mother’s funeral in Ilesa, Osun State in 2019 and because of the heightened state of insecurity in the region, with kidnappings reported along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, not to mention the palpable insecurity along Ibadan-Akure road, prevented many of my closest friends from Lagos to travel down for the funeral. Those who braved the unsafe roads had to come with Police escorts, at great financial costs. Thanks to the Late Arákùnrin Akérédolú’s vision and resoluteness, the bandits could have taken over the whole of Yorubaland.
Arákùnrin Akérédolú was a leader whose courage, conviction, and devotion to the safety of his people defined his public life. His passing left a profound silence, but his legacy continues to speak in the institutions he strengthened and the lives he protected through his championing the formation of Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn. The Late Noble Warrior, Arákùnrin Rótìmí Akérédolú could be described as the man who saw tomorrow. The regional security network, which he fought vehemently to establish, is now the nationally adopted model, even by his fiercest antagonists, the Northern governors. On 1 December 2025, the Northern governors met and approved the creation of the Northern Regional security Trust Fund – five years after Governor Akérédolú had led the South West governors to set up the South West Security Network, Operation Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn.
The Late Governor Akérédolú was, above all, a man of principle. Trained as a lawyer and seasoned by years of public engagement, he brought to leadership a rare blend of intellect and moral clarity. He believed that government existed first to protect its people, and he never wavered from that responsibility. At a time when insecurity threatened livelihoods and confidence across the South West region, he chose action over hesitation and resolve over convenience. Even when the might of Lagos State was evidently hesitant in supporting his championship of the establishment of Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn, he was undeterred and formally launched operation Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn in Ibadan on 9th January 2020.
Arákùnrin Akérédolú was a true leader who exhibited true humility and shunned executive excessiveness. The one and only time I ever met him was a chance meeting at the Access Bank departure lounge at MM2 while waiting to catch a flight to Abuja in 2021. I was comfortably seated at the lounge when this unassuming, tall gentleman walked in with just an aide who pushed his cabin bag. After taking his seat, I went to confirm from the gentleman if that was Arákùnrin and he answered in the affirmative. I was so impressed and encouraged by what I witnessed that I walked up to him, introduced myself and told him how impressed I was with his modesty.
To me, his most enduring legacy was his fearless commitment to regional security. Governor Akérédolú emerged as a leading voice in the creation and defence of community-based security structures in the South-West, insisting that local realities required local solutions. In doing so, he gave hope to citizens who had begun to doubt the state’s ability to protect them and were able to regain their forests and farmlands. His stance was not merely political; it was deeply personal—rooted in a conviction that no society can prosper where fear reigns.
Arákùnrin Akérédolú was a true patriot who served his fatherland with every fibre of his being. We must remember that Noble Warrior who was resolutely determined to secure our Yorubaland and by extension, our nation – from the grip of insurgents, bandits and herders who were bent on destroying our way of life – he had a blueprint fit for the complexities specific to the South West and which is now being adapted to other regions. Beyond security, his administration reflected discipline and purpose. He championed the rule of law, upheld judicial independence, and insisted on accountability in public office. Even in the face of intense pressure, he remained firm, guided by conscience rather than applause. A couple of close friends who worked with him often spoke of his clarity of thought, his directness, and his refusal to compromise on matters of justice.
Today, Yoruba people everywhere should remember not just a former governor, but a defender of the people—a hero who stood when it mattered most. As we look forward to stepping into the new year 2026, may we deliberately remember our heroes past, whose sacrifices and services to our dear country ensure the democracy and relative peace we are enjoying today. I want to end this by quoting the author of Proverbs 10:7, who says “the memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot”. May the soul of Arákùnrin Rótìmí Akérédolú continue to rest in perfect peace, and may Almighty God continue to guide, protect and bless the family he left behind.
- Olukiran writes from London. He can be reached at [email protected]