Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo State in Nigeria, has died at the age of 67, according to sources.
Akeredolu passed away on Wednesday, after a long battle with leukemia, report says.
The Ondo State government has not yet publicly commented on Governor Akeredolu’s reported death. However, sources within the Nigerian state have confirmed the news.
But a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party in Ondo State said arrangements are being made to swear in Akeredolu’s deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as his successor.
Akeredolu became Governor of Ondo State in February 2017 after winning election for his first term on the APC ticket. He was re-elected to a second term in October 2020.
A lawyer by profession, Akeredolu has served as President of the Nigerian Bar Association in the past. He was also a member of the legal team for President Muhammadu Buhari during election petitions in 2007 and 2011.
Aketi won his re-election as Ondo State governor in October 2020 and was sworn in for a second term in office in February 2021. However, his second term was marred with controversy and a health battle.
The governor had to be flown abroad for treatment for his medical condition in June. He had returned to Nigeria in September after months overseas but stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The Ondo governor was known to be battling with leukemia over the past year.
Reactions and tributes to the late governor Akeredolu have started pouring in from political colleagues. However, his family and Ondo State officials are yet to officially announce his passing.
More details are expected soon as the Nigerian state comes to term with the loss of its sitting Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
