Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu reportedly dies fighting Leukemia
Having been sworn in as the governor of Ondo State on 24 February 2017, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu was to continue his second term in an off-cycle election he won following stiff contests during his party’s 2020 primaries.
![Just about Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was getting knee-deep into a $1 billion seaport installation in Ondo State, he started having the struggle of leukemia and that has demanded two medical leaves. [Instagram - rotimiakete]](https://meiza.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Just-about-Governor-Rotimi-Akeredolu-was-getting-knee-deep-into-a-seaport-installation-in-Ondo-State-he-started-having-the-struggle-of-leukemia-and-that-has-demanded-two-medical-leaves-e1703684174232.jpg)
The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has reportedly died following his lengthy fight against leukemia or prostate cancer which he later succumbed to at a German hospital approaching 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 27 December, 2023.
His battle against the disease created complex political situations in Ondo over the sluggishness in handing over his duties to Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. This started to brew in June when the deceased first needed to travel out of Nigeria on medical leave that was expected to aid his treatment.
Three months later, the 67-year-old returned to the country but there was no positive recovery in sight. By then it was clear to the opposition that a transfer of power would be needed to steer the affairs of his state while the two-term governor focuses on getting better.
After interventions by the concerned public and top government officials, especially from President Bola Tinubu who is the leader of his All Progressives Congress (APC) party, the departed Akeredolu handed over to the deputy and soon proceeded on his second medical leave of the year on 13 December. Sadly, the recent leave had no bearing on him when it came to improving his waning health.
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Having been sworn in as the governor of Ondo State on 24 February 2017, Mr Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was to continue his second term in an off-cycle election he won following stiff contests during his party’s primaries.
![Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was an important figure in ensuring a win for his All Progressives Congress (APC) party and its presidential candidate in the 2023 General Elections, Bola Tinubu. [Instagram - rotimiakete]](https://meiza.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Governor-Rotimi-Akeredolu-was-an-important-figure-in-ensuring-a-win-for-his-All-Progressives-Congress-APC-party-and-its-presidential-candidate-in-the-2023-General-Elections-Bola-Tinubu.-Instagram-rotimiakete.jpg)
Unfortunately, since the swearing-in on 24 February the following year, there hasn’t been much space for him and his deputy to implement all their plans. In June 2021, Ondo State experienced a shocking terrorist attack that led to several deaths at a Catholic church within its domain.
Six months later, particularly in January 2023, Rotimi Akeredolu had to start the new year by submitting to leukemia treatment. It was to become a disease that he never recovered from and has now led to his death a day after the Boxing Day holiday.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
