Ondo governor, Akeredolu,dies after prolonged health battle

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,the Ondo State governor, has passed away at the age of 67, according to family and government sources. The governor, who had been ill for some time, died early Wednesday morning, his family confirmed. 

Governor Akeredolu’s illness was a long and difficult battle, and although the exact nature of his illness has not been made public, reports indicate that he was suffering from leukemia. 

Akeredolu’s health had been a concern in recent months.His absence from office created a power vacuum that was eventually filled by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

When Akeredolu returned to Nigeria in September, he had been out of the country for three months, which had raised concerns among political leaders and sparked a political crisis. President Bola Tinubu had to intervene to try to resolve the tensions and ensure a smooth transition of power.

Meanwhile,  his press secretary stated that Akeredolu was committed to making a full recovery and returning to work as soon as possible, noting that he was able to oversee state affairs from his location back then in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Governor Akeredolu, who was a highly accomplished lawyer, first won election as governor of Ondo State in 2016. Akeredolu’s tenure as the governor of Ondo State has been marked by both achievements and challenges. His re-election in October 2020 was a significant moment in his political career, and he began his second term as governor in February 2021.