The people of Ondo State are in a state of shock and grief as they received the news of the demise of their governor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, on Wednesday.
The governor, who was popularly known as Aketi, passed away at the age of 67 in Lagos, where he was receiving treatment for leukemia.
According to a source close to the governor, Akeredolu was under the care of State House doctors who tried their best to save his life but could not airlift him abroad due to the severity of his condition.
“They were looking for dialysis machines to be sent to his secret location in Lagos last week,” the source said.
Akeredolu had been battling leukemia for a long time and had sought medical attention in Germany, where he spent three months on medical leave. He returned to Nigeria in September and resumed his duties as the governor of Ondo State.
However, his health deteriorated again and he was advised by President Bola Tinubu to hand over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who is now the acting governor of the state.
Akeredolu was a renowned lawyer and politician who served as the president of the Nigerian Bar Association from 2008 to 2010. He became the governor of Ondo State in 2017 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was re-elected for a second term in 2020. He was also the chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and a vocal advocate for regional integration and development.
Akeredolu was known for his achievements in infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, and industrialization in Ondo State. He also initiated several projects and policies that improved the welfare and security of the people of the state. He was a man of integrity, vision, and courage who dedicated his life to the service of his state and country.
The governor is survived by his wife, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who is the founder of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), and four children. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the people of Ondo State.
The state government has declared a seven-day mourning period in honour of the late governor and has ordered that all flags in the state be flown at half-mast. The burial arrangements will be announced soon by the family.
