Fidelis David in Akure
Ondo State Government has confirmed the death of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. He died in Germany on Wednesday.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju confirmed the unfortunate incident, around 2PM on Wednesday.
In a statement titled: “It Is A Sad Day In Ondo State”, Ademola-Olateju confirmed that Governor Akeredolu answered the eternal call while receiving medical treatment in Germany and succumbed to complications arising from protracted prostate cancer.
The statement reads, “With a heavy heart, the Ondo State Government announces the tragic passing of our beloved Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.
“Mr. Governor peacefully departed from this world in the early hours of today, Wednesday, December 27, 2023. This tragedy has left behind a profound void in our hearts. Governor Akeredolu answered the eternal call while receiving medical treatment in Germany. He succumbed to complications arising from protracted prostate cancer.
“A letter has been sent to President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, to officially inform His Excellency of this devastating news. The Family and the Ondo State Government appreciate Mr. President for his support for Governor Akeredolu during his illness.”
According to Ademola-Olateju, the family and the state government will release further details regarding the funeral arrangements.
“Governor Akeredolu was an extraordinary leader whose unwavering dedication to the state and its people was both commendable and unparalleled. He not only served as the Governor of Ondo State but also emerged as a prominent advocate for the entire Southwest region and the nation. Governor Akeredolu was a courageous leader and an exemplar of integrity. The weight of this loss is truly unbearable.
“However, we find solace in the knowledge that Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu lived a purposeful life, devoted to the service of God Almighty”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and former Attorney General of Ondo State, was a second-term governor before his death and served as the Chairman of the South West Governor’s Forum.
Throughout 2022, there were speculations in Ondo about the health of Akeredolu, but nobody knew what to believe until January this year when his wife, Betty, released a viral audio where she accused her husband’s Special Adviser on Public and Inter-Governmental Relations, Ms Bunmi Odumosu of fortifying her husband with concoctions.
Specifically, Mrs Akeredolu revealed that her husband was indeed battling a serious health challenge, warning Odumosu to stay away from her husband and stop sneaking in with concoctions.
The situation continued until 13th June this year when Akeredolu officially transferred power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, through a notification sent to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, stating that he would be proceeding on a 21-day medical vacation from 7th June to 6th July 2023, but, when the letter expired, he issued another, this time, extending his leave indefinitely.
For the second time in the year, Akeredolu embarked on a three-month medical vacation in Germany and subsequently returned on September 7.
Following his return, Akeredolu stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and tried to govern his state from there, a move which drew criticism from various quarters.
Afterwards, there was the battle of controversy over Akeredolu’s failure to return to the state or make public appearance, fuelling the suspicion that the state was being governed by proxy and the most dramatic manifestation of the conflict between him and his deputy occurred after he returned from his three-month medical leave as he fired the media aides to his deputy over alleged misconduct.
Subsequently, the feud between Akeredolu and his deputy, escalated into a power struggle, casting shadows over the state’s peace and stability.
As a result of these crises, the state was plunged into a period of unprecedented political turmoil, causing widespread concern and uncertainty among Nigerians and a ripple effect throughout the state’s political fabric.
After the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, on December 13, Aiyedatiwa assumed office as acting governor shortly after his return to Akure, the state capital where he was received by a former Secretary to the State Government, Ifedayo Abegunde, and his supporters.
Governor Akeredolu was known for his courage being the most vocal governor in Nigeria’s South against atrocities committed by non-state actors.
He would also be remembered for his courage to give quit notice to armed herdsmen in the state forests for their heinous crimes against the people such as abduction for ransom, killings, torture and rape.
Profile
Akeredolu was born on 21st July 1956 in Owo, Ondo State to the Late Rev. J. O Ola Akeredolu of Owo and Lady Evang. Grace Akeredolu of Igbotu Ese Odo Government Area of Ondo State.
Aketi, as he was fondly called by friends and admirers, started his primary school education at Government School, Owo, before proceeding to the famous Aquainas College Akure in 1968.
He later proceeded to the prestigious Loyola College, Ibadan in 1969 to complete his secondary school education. He also attended Comprehensive High School Ayetoro for his higher Secondary School Certificate.
Akerdolu was admitted into the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University in 1974 and obtained his LLB degree in 1977 and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School for his B.L in 1978.
Akeredolu was also a Managing Partner at the law firm of Olujinmi & Akeredolu, which he co-founded with Chief Akin Olujinmi, a former Attorney General and Minister for Justice of Nigeria.
He was Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997-1999 and became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1998. Akeredolu was president of Nigeria Bar Association from 2008 to 2010.
He was elected Governor of Ondo State on the Platform of the All Progressives Congress in November 2016 and reelected in 2020.
Personal life
He was a member, Oyo State Football association, 1992-1994, an associate Member, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Oyo State Branch. He also accepted and became the Patron, The Nigerian Law Society, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Patron, Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria(BRECAN), Patron The law society, Faculty of Law, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. He was also the Patron, Sports Writers association of Nigeria, Oyo State branch.
Family
Aketi was married to Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu and blessed with four children.
