- Life and times of late Ondo Gov
- How he died of prostate cancer in Germany – State govt
- Aiyedatiwa sworn in as governor, 2024 game changes
- New Gov makes first set of appointments as Akeredolu’s aides resign
The Governor of Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, died on Wednesday morning after a prolonged health battle.
Akeredolu, 67, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, ex-president of the Nigerian Bar Association, and ex-Attorney General of Ondo State, was a second-term governor before his death.
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 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.
“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 South West 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.
Akeredolu’s death brings the number of Nigerian governors who have died in office to four. Others are the former Sokoto State Governor, Sheu Kangiwa, Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa, and ex-Governor Mamman Ali of Yobe State.
SHEHU KANGIWA
Shehu Kangiwa died in office in a polo accident in January 1982. Kangiwa was the governor of Sokoto State at the time of his death.
Kangiwa’s deputy, Garba Nadama, was sworn in as the Sokoto governor until November 1983 when General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) took over power through a military coup.
Kangiwa was fondly called the ‘Smiling governor’. He was elected governor of Sokoto State under the platform of the National Party of Nigeria but his administration was short-lived.
He died in November 1981, falling from a horse while playing polo in the 1981 edition of the Georgian League in Kaduna. He left behind nine children at the time.
In 1982 Unisteel Ltd. presented The Shehu Kangiwa Cup in his memory, and the cup is now sponsored by the Sokoto State Government.
PATRICK YAKOWA
Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa served as governor of Kaduna State from 2010 to 2012 when he died in a helicopter crash. He was appointed deputy governor in July 2005, and returned as Kaduna number two citizen in the April 2007 election.
He was sworn in as governor on 20 May 2010, succeeding former Governor Namadi Sambo who had been sworn in as vice president the day before.
Yakowa, 64, successfully ran for election as Kaduna Governor in the April 2011 poll and won. On December 15, 2012, Yakowa died in a helicopter crash along with the former National Security Adviser, General Owoye Andrew Azazi (rtd), while flying from Bayelsa State to Port Harcourt. They were returning from the funeral of Oronto Douglas’ father in Bayelsa when the incident occurred.
Others in the ill-fated helicopter crash were Dauda Tsoho and Mohammed Kamal, both aides, as well as the two pilots: Muritala Mohammed Daba and Adeyemi Sowole.
Yakowa’s deputy, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, was consequently sworn-in the following day as the state’s new governor by the state Chief Judge, Justice Rahila Cudjoe.
MAMMAN BELLO ALI
Mamman Bello Ali represented Yobe South Senatorial District between 1999 and 2007 and was the chairman senate committee on public account. He contested and won the governorship election in Yobe in 2007 under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party and was in office until his death in 2009.
He died of leukemia while receiving treatment at a hospital in Florida, United States.
ROTIMI AKEREDOLU
On November 27, 2016, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced Akeredolu as the winner of the Ondo State governorship election having polled 244,842 votes to defeat his closest rivals, Eyitayo Jegede of the People’s Democratic Party who scored 150,380 votes and Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy who got 126,889 votes.
He was sworn in as governor on February 24, 2017.
He won the battle to re-contest for the 2020 Ondo State governorship election after beating Olusola Oke, D.I. Kekemeke, Jimi Odimayo, Segun Abraham and others in the APC primaries.
On Saturday, October 10, 2020, Akeredolu was re-elected after polling 292,830 votes against his major opponents from PDP and the Zenith Labour Party, Eyitayo Jegede and Agboola Ajayi respectively.
He was sworn in for a second term in office on February 24, 2021 alongside his new deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Akeredolu had been out of office at least since June 2023 when he officially transferred power to Aiyedatiwa and proceeded on a 21-day medical leave in Germany.
The leave, which was supposed to end on July 6, 2023, was later extended indefinitely as the governor continued to receive treatment in Germany.
He later returned to Nigeria on September 6 and resumed at his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, to recuperate amid lingering crisis bordering on governance faraway in Ondo.
From Aiyedatiwa’s running battle with the state assembly members who moved to impeach him, to the sacking of his media aides by the governor, the political crisis in the Sunshine State has headlined the dailies on a regular basis.
It took the intervention of President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the lawmakers.
There were repeated calls from different quarters, asking Akeredolu to either resign or resume office, but his handlers continued to give an impression that things were under control.
It became abundantly clear that all was not well when Kayode Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, raised the alarm in November that some commissioners forged Akeredolu’s signature to approve documents. The claim was confirmed a few days later by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Rasaq Obe.
On December 11, Akeredolu wrote to the state Assembly that he was proceeding on another medical leave.
Although he handed over to his deputy, many have argued he should have resigned instead of transmitting power to Aiyedatiwa in acting capacity.
Akeredolu’s life and times
Aketi, as he was fondly called by friends and admirers, wore many hats and was acknowledged by many of his contemporaries as a dogged leader with unbending personal convictions.
Until his death, he was the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, a body with governors of the 17 states in Southern Nigeria as members.
Akeredolu also led his other five colleagues in the South-West as chairman, championing many reforms, especially in the area of security, prominent among which was the establishment of the South-West Security Network codenamed Amotekun.
Aketi was unpretentious, unpatronising and vocal against injustice, oppression and subjugation of all kinds.
He was a voice against herdsmen attacks on farmers, and one of the unswerving critics of the administration of then President Muhammadu Buhari, despite that they belonged to the same ruling All Progressives Congress.
Fearless, Aketi stood for his deepest convictions and didn’t mind walking alone, far away from the bandwagon.
Akeredolu went for the jugular of the Federal Government, always siding with the people and holding the Federal Government to account for its core responsibility of protecting the people, especially during an attack on a Catholic church in Owo, his hometown.
Aketi, an ally of President Bola Tinubu, was an advocate of state police and restructuring, two convictions he trumpeted till he breathed his last.
Akeredolu was born on July 21, 1956 in Owo, Ondo State to the Late Rev. J. O Ola Akeredolu of Owo and Lady Evang. Grace Akeredolu of Igbotu Ese Odo Government Area of Ondo State.
Aketi started his primary school education at Government School, Owo, before proceeding to the famous Aquinas College Akure in 1968.
He later proceeded to the prestigious Loyola College, Ibadan in 1969 to complete his secondary school education.
He also attended Comprehensive High School Ayetoro for his higher Secondary School Certificate.
Akeredolu was admitted into the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University in 1974.
He obtained his LLB degree in 1977 and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School for his B.L in 1978.
Apart from his illustrious ancestry and cosmopolitan upbringing, a peep into his tenure as elected Vice President 1975/76, of the student University days at the famous and prestigious University of Ife now (Obafemi Awolowo University) shows the architecture of service, fame and greatness in the making.
As a leader of the Students Union at Ife, Aketi helped to engineer a leadership focused on issues, robust debates and constructive engagements.
He encouraged a genuine mobilisation of mass consciousness against inequality, injustice, corruption, arbitrariness and recklessness.
A devoted Christian with a warm and accommodating heart for people of other faiths, Akeredolu, in addition to a distinguished and Spartan career of legal practice, also donated his lifetime to a career of mentorship and social service.
He was a member, Oyo State Football association, 1992-1994, an associate Member, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Oyo State Branch.
He also accepted and became the Patron, The Nigerian Law Society, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Patron, Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, Patron The law society, Faculty of Law, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.
He was also the Patron, Sports Writers association of Nigeria, Oyo State branch.
Aketi was married to Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu and blessed with four children and many grandchildren.
What constitution says when a sitting governor dies in office
With the declaration of the death of the governor, his deputy automatically assumes the role of the governor as required by the law. This happens immediately to maintain continuity of leadership in the state.
The state government will officially announce the governor’s death and declare a period of mourning. During this time, flags are flown at half-mast, and government activities may be adjusted or postponed for a while.
This provision is in line with Section 191(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended.
The constitution states, “The Deputy Governor of a State shall hold the office of Governor of the State if the office of Governor becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity, or removal of the governor from office for any other reason in accordance with sections 188 or 189 of this constitution.”
The deputy governor will have to complete the remaining term of his deceased boss, in which case he may decide to contest the next election or hand over power to whoever emerges as the winner after the election.
Aiyedatiwa sworn in as Governor, makes first set of appointments
Consequently, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has been sworn in as the governor of the Sunshine State.
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 onerous 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 Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu,” Aiyedatiwa said in his opening remarks as the number one citizen of the state,
“Today’s event has placed a burden on all of us to stay together as one because we have the onerous responsibility to continue to sustain the legacies of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, which was good governance.
“We now have the responsibility to complete them. It is necessary for us to acknowledge with pride, the wonderful achievements and legacies of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON.”
Aiyedatiwa assured the indigenes of the state of continued progress as well as making their welfare his topmost priority.
“Our leader and governor embarked upon several landmark projects, many of which have been completed and several others ongoing.
“His records of performance are monumental and unprecedented. I want to assure the people of Ondo State that under my watch, this administration shall continue to advance the welfare of the people. We shall always place the people first in every decision we take.”
Present to witness the swearing-in were other judges and top government officials, including the secretary to the state government and members of the state cabinet, the state All Progressives Congress chairman and members of the state house of assembly.
However, Aiyedatiwa has made his first set of appointments.
The governor appointed five political aides.
The appointments were contained in a statement issued and signed on Wednesday by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Omojuwa Olusegun
Olusegun said the appointments were with immediate effect.
The statement read, “The following appointments have been approved by the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
Mr. Ebenezer Adeniyan Chief Press Secretary to the Governor; Mr. Smart Omodunbi Jnr- (Political Matters) Special Assistant to the Governor; Mr. Abire Sunday Olugbenga (New Media), Special Assistant to the Governor; Miss Motunrayo Oyedele (Photography) Special Assistant to the Governor; Dr. Temitayo Iperepolu (Domestic and Government House), Special Assistant to the Governor.
“The appointments take immediate effect.”
Akeredolu’s aides resign
Similarly, Richard Olatunde, the Chief Press Secretary to the late Akeredolu has resigned.
Also, the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Dare Aragbaye, tendered his resignation letter on Wednesday.
In their letters of resignation addressed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the two aides cited Akeredolu’s death as the reason for their actions.
Olatunde in his letter titled ‘Resignation Letter’ said, “My decision to resign from office is hinged on the unfortunate and untimely death of our leader, principal, and father figure, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.”
He noted that throughout his tenure as the CPS, he was fortunate to witness firsthand the exceptional qualities of Akeredolu.
“His (Akeredolu) leadership and dedication to the development of our state ignited within me a drive and passion to serve and contribute my quota to the progress of our beloved state,” he added.
Aragbaye in his letter said, “My decision to resign is based on the unfortunate death of my principal, a fearless and honest leader, Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredulu, SAN, CON, whom I am loyal to even in death.”
He thanked Akeredolu for the opportunity granted to serve in his administration as a member of the State Executive Council.