Akeredolu was managed by State House doctors up to his death because they could not fly him abroad
By Kehinde Okeowo
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has passed away at the age of 67.
TheNiche learnt that Akeredolu died while receiving medical treatment in Germany.
A statement by the Ondo State government said he succumbed to complications arising from protracted prostate cancer.
“Akeredolu is dead,” a reliable source told our reporter.
Akeredolu returned to Nigeria in September following a three-month medical leave in Germany.
Recently, he informed the House of Assembly of his intention to proceed on another medical leave, stating that his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, will stand in as acting governor.
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Following his return to Nigeria in September, Akeredolu stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and tried to govern his state from there, leading to public outrage.
His wife, Betty announced the suspension of activities lined up to celebrate her 70th birthday.
The Ondo first lady announced the suspension of the activities in Twitter posts after questions were raised over plans to have a fanfare despite her husband’s ill health.
Betty, in a statement via her X handle, said, “Hello Family and Friends. This is to inform you that all activities lined up to mark my 70th birthday are hereby suspended till further notice due to unforeseen circumstances beyond my control. Sorry for any inconvenience caused by this development.
“Nevertheless, be assured that I will be celebrated in style upon my return. Thank you for your understanding. I remain Arabinrin a.k.a Ada Owere I,” she added.
Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, CON, was born on July 21, 1956, in Owo to Reverend J. Ola Akeredolu of the Akeredolu family and Lady Evangelist Grace B. Akeredolu of Aderoyiju family of Igbotu, Ese Odo, in Ondo State.
He started his primary education at a government school in Owo. He proceeded to Aquinas College, Akure, Loyola College, Ibadan, and a comprehensive high school, Ayetoro, for his secondary school education and Higher School Certificate, respectively.
His middle name Odunayo means “Year of happiness” in Yoruba.
He went on to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) to study law and graduated in 1977.
He was a Nigerian lawyer and politician.
He assumed office as Ondo governor on February 24, 2017.
He reportedly died of leukemia.
His adopted prefix is “Arakunrin”, while his nickname is “Aketi”.
He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who became president of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2008.
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.
Akeredolu was appointed Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997 to 1999.
In 1998, he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006).
In November 2009, he faced allegations of corruption when the Bar Association’s third Vice-President, Welfare Secretary, and Assistant Financial Secretary circulated a petition entitled “Complaints against your fraudulent manifestations, violation of the NBA”.
Subsequently, the allegations against him were reviewed and dropped by the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association.
In November 2011, Akeredolu was among a crowd of aspirants to be the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate for governor of Ondo State in the 2012 elections.
On 28 July 2012, Akeredolu was selected as the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate for governor of Ondo State during the ACN congress in Akure.
His selection pitched him in a head-to-head battle with the incumbent, Olusegun Mimiko, and Olusola Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Akeredolu was awarded the ticket to represent the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2016 elections for governor. On Sunday, 27 November 2016, he won the keenly contested 2016 Ondo State gubernatorial election.
On Sunday, 27 November 2016, Akeredolu was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the winner of the Ondo State governorship election.
He amassed 244,842 votes in the election to defeat Eyitayo Jegede with 150,380 votes and Olusola Oke with 126,889 votes. According to Professor Ganiyu Ambali, INEC Returning Officer, Akeredolu defeated two major opponents, Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), to clinch victory. He was sworn in as the governor of Ondo State on 24 February 2017 in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.
On 21 July 2020, he was declared the Ondo governorship candidate after the primary elections under the platform of the APC, for a second term.
The 2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election was held on 10 October 2020.
Akeredolu won re-election for a second term, defeating PDP Eyitayo Jegede, ZLP Agboola Ajayi, and several minor party candidates.
