Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, the Executive Governor of Ondo State, has died after a long battle with leukemia, a type of cancer.
He recently sought treatment in another country and attempted to administer Ondo remotely from his Ibadan mansion while he recovered.
After a three-month medical leave in Germany, he returned to Nigeria in September.
Following President Bola Tinubu’s direction, he went on another medical leave on December 13, handing over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Here are ten things to know about the late Akeredolu:
1. Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu CON SAN was born on July 21, 1956, in Owo to Reverend J. Ola Akeredolu and Lady Evangelist Grace B. Akeredolu.
2. Akeredolu began his schooling at a government school in Owo, then moved on to Aquinas College in Akure, Loyola College in Ibadan, and Ayetoro High School for his secondary and higher school certificate education.
3. He studied law at the University of Ife, where he graduated in 1977.
4. He was a Nigerian politician and lawyer.
5. He was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the President of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2008, and a managing partner in the legal firm Olujinmi & Akeredolu.
6. He faced corruption allegations inside the Bar Association in 2009, which were later reviewed and dismissed.
7. He ran as the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate for governor of Ondo State in 2012, eventually winning the election in 2016.
8. On February 24, 2017, he was sworn in as the governor of Ondo State.
9. In 2020, he won re-election as the APC’s candidate for a second term, beating opposition contenders.
10. He allegedly died of leukemia on Wednesday, July 27, 2023.
