CITIZENS COMPASS —The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, is dead.
He died at the age of 67 on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
A family source said Akeredolu died in Lagos State.
It was learnt that he was managed by State House doctors up to his death because they could not fly him abroad.
“Akeredolu is dead; he died in Lagos,” the source said.
“They were looking for dialysis machines to be sent to his secret location in Lagos last week.”
Recall that the ailing governor returned to Nigeria in September following a three-month medical leave in Germany.
He recently handed over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as acting governor, before renewing his medical leave after he was directed by President Bola Tinubu.
Ondo Government confirms death
The Ondo State Government has confirmed the death of the state Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.
The confirmation of the governor’s death came several hours after news of his death went viral.
According to a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the governor died in Germany on Wednesday after battling prostate cancer.
The statement was titled ‘ It Is a sad day in Ondo State’.
The statement read, “With a heavy heart, the Ondo State Government announces the 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.”
It noted that a letter had been sent to President Bola Tinubu to officially inform him of the governor’s death.
“The family and the Ondo State Government appreciate Mr. President for his support for Governor Akeredolu during his illness. 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.
Acting Governor steps up
Few hours after the death of Akeredolu, The acting governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was sworn in as the state governor.
The swearing-in was held at the Cocoa Conference Hall in the governor’s office in Akure, the state capital and was administered by the chief judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola at 5:18 pm.
“It is with a heavy heart that I accept this honorous responsibility of taking over the reins of governance and affairs of our state after the unfortunate loss and passing of our beloved governor and leader and my dear principal arakurin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu,” Aiyedatiwa said in his opening remarks as the number one citizen of the state.
Present to witness the swearing-in are other judges and top government officials, including the secretary to the state government and members of the state cabinet, the state All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman and members of the state house of assembly.
His inauguration followed the death of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu earlier on Wednesday.
Aiyedatiwa’s walk to becoming the governor of Ondo State was a long one that lasted one year since Akeredolu suffered health challenges before he eventually succumbed to the claws of death on Wednesday in faraway Germany where he was being treated for prostate cancer.
Aiyedatiwa survived an impeachment plot by Akeredolu’s allies in the Ondo State House of Assembly and stark opposition by his late principal’s foot soldiers.
Controversy enveloped the politics of the state in the last few months with activists and constitutional lawyers calling on Akeredolu to transmit power to Aiyedatiwa in line with the 1999 Constitution.
Akeredolu was in and out of hospitals abroad before he breathed his last on December 27, 2023.
Eventually, Akeredolu, a second-term governor before his death, transmitted power to Aiyedatiwa on December 13, 2023, as he embarked on a fresh medical trip overseas, the second in 2023.
Akeredolu, 67, could not make it back to Nigeria as he died of complications arising from prostate cancer.
