The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, has passed away after a prolonged battle with Leukemia, a type of cancer.
Recently, he sought treatment abroad and attempted to govern Ondo remotely from his Ibadan residence during his recovery. Despite efforts by State House doctors, he couldn’t be flown abroad.
Akeredolu returned to Nigeria in September after a three-month medical leave in Germany. On December 13, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive, he went on another medical leave, transferring power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Here are ten things to know about the late Ondo Governor Akeredolu:
- Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu CON SAN was born on July 21, 1956, in Owo to Reverend J. Ola Akeredolu and Lady Evangelist Grace B. Akeredolu.
- Akeredolu’s educational journey started in a government school in Owo, followed by Aquinas College, Akure, Loyola College, Ibadan, and Ayetoro High School for his secondary and Higher School Certificate education.
- He pursued law at the University of Ife, graduating in 1977.
- He was a Nigerian lawyer and politician.
- He was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), he served as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2008 and was a managing partner at Olujinmi & Akeredolu law firm.
- In 2009, he faced corruption allegations within the Bar Association, which were later reviewed and dropped.
- Akeredolu emerged as the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate for Ondo State governorship in 2012, ultimately winning the election in 2016.
- He was inaugurated as Ondo State governor on February 24, 2017.
- In 2020, Akeredolu secured the APC candidacy for a second term, and he won re-election, defeating opposition candidates.
- He reportedly died of leukaemia on Wednesday, 27th Wednesday, 2023.