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Rotimi Akeredolu

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His Excellency
Rotimi Akeredolu
CON SAN
Governor of Ondo State
In office
24 February 2017 – 27 December 2023
Deputy
Preceded byOlusegun Mimiko
Succeeded byLucky Aiyedatiwa
President of the Nigerian Bar Association
In office
2008 – August 2010
Preceded byOlisa Agbakoba
Succeeded byJoseph Bodurin Daudu
Attorney General of Ondo State
In office
1997–1999
Governor
Personal details
Born
Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu

(1956-07-21)21 July 1956
Owo, Western Region, British Nigeria (now in Ondo State, Nigeria)
Died27 December 2023(2023-12-27) (aged 67)
near Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany
Political party
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1981)​
Children4
Alma materObafemi Awolowo University
Occupation
  • Lawyer
  • politician
Websiteaketi.org
NicknameAketi

Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu CON SAN ((Listenⓘ); 21 July 1956 – 27 December 2023) was a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as governor of Ondo State from 2017[1] until his death in 2023.

His adopted prefix was "Arakunrin",[2] while his nickname was "Aketi".[3] He was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who became president of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2008.[4] Akeredolu was also a managing partner at the law firm of Olujinmi & Akeredolu,[5] which he co-founded with Chief Akin Olujinmi, a former attorney general and minister for justice of Nigeria.

On 21 July 2020, Akeredolu was declared as the Ondo governorship candidate after the primary elections under the platform of the APC.[6] During his time as governor of Ondo State, he also doubled as the chairman of Southwest Governors' Forum, a forum consisting of governors of the Southwest Nigerian states.

Birth and education

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Akeredolu was born on 21 July 1956 in Owo to Reverend J. Ola Akeredolu of the Akeredolu family and Lady Evangelist Grace B. Akeredolu of Aderoyiju family of Igbotu, Ese Odo, in Ondo State.[7][3] Akeredolu started his primary education at Government Primary School in Owo. He proceeded to Aquinas College in Akure, Loyola College in Ibadan and Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, for his secondary school education and Higher School Certificate, respectively.[8] His middle name Odunayo means "Year of happiness" in Yoruba.[9] He went on to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) to study Law and he graduated in 1977.[10] He was referred to the Nigerian Law School in 1978.[7][11]

Career

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Akeredolu began his legal career as a junior counsel with the law firm, GM Ibru & Co.[12] He was appointed Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997 to 1999.[3] In 1998, he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006).[7] In November 2009, he faced allegations of corruption when the Bar Association's third Vice-President, Welfare Secretary and Assistant Financial Secretary circulated a petition entitled "Complaints against your fraudulent manifestations, violation of the NBA".[13] Subsequently, the allegations against him were reviewed and dropped by the National Executive council of the Nigerian Bar Association.[14]

In a lecture in December 2009, Akeredolu said no amount of electoral reform or judicial system could give Nigeria free and fair elections if Nigerians themselves refused to take practical steps to ensure that their votes count.[15][16] Later that month he stated that Umaru Yar'Adua, the President of Nigeria should have handed over to Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan in an acting capacity during his illness, a statement that was backed up by the Nigerian Bar Association who said he was authorized to speak on their behalf.[17]

In 2012, the Nigerian Bar Association named its new secretariat in Abuja after Akeredolu, its president citing the need for "generational identification and recognition of those who had contributed immensely to the development of the association. The sheer courage for him to go through the rigour is a testimony to his selfless service."[18]

On 4 February 2022, Akeredolu was named Grand Patron of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency by its chairman, retired Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa.[19]

Governorship candidate, 2011

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In November 2011, Akeredolu was among a crowd of aspirants to be the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate for governor of Ondo State in the 2012 elections.[20] During an interview that month, Akeredolu said that he had become well known and respected as president of the Bar, and described himself as a Progressive. If elected, his priorities would include agricultural development, fish farming for export, improvements to education, jobs for youths and improved roads. He would provide free education and primary health care. He was in favour of increased subsidies and greater local control over public spending.[21]

On 28 July 2012, Akeredolu was selected as the Action Congress of Nigeria candidate for governor of Ondo State during the ACN congress in Akure.[22] His selection pitched him in a head-to-head battle with the incumbent, Olusegun Mimiko and Olusola Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).[23] Akeredolu promised to create 30,000 jobs in his first 100 days in office.[24] His promise was refuted by the (PDP) as a ruse.[25]

On 3 September 2016, Akeredolu was awarded the ticket to represent the newly merged All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2016 elections for Governor. On 27 November 2016, he was declared winner of the keenly contested 2016 Ondo State gubernatorial election.[26]

Governor of Ondo State

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On 27 November 2016, Akeredolu was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the winner of the Ondo State governorship election. He amassed 244,842 votes in the election to defeat Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 150,380 votes and Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) with 126,889 votes. According to professor Ganiyu Ambali, INEC Returning Officer, Akeredolu defeated his two major opponents Jegede and Oke, to clinch victory. He was sworn in as the governor of Ondo State on 24 February 2017 in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.[27]

Re-election, 2020

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In 2020, the Aketi Movement gathered the support of over 100 groups with 200,000 members across the three senatorial districts of Ondo State for the re-election of Akeredolu as the state governor.[3]

On 29 July 2020, Akeredolu picked Lucky Aiyedatiwa as his running mate for the 2020 Ondo State Governorship election after the controversy between the Governor and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi.[28] He beat Olusola Oke, D.I. Kekemeke, Jimi Odimayo, Segun Abraham and others in the APC primary election.[29] Akeredolu was declared winner of the 2020 Ondo Governorship election on 11 October 2020, after winning 15 out of 18 local governments.[30] The Independent National Electoral Commission announced his victory on the same day. He won with a total number of 292,830 valid votes against his major opponents from the Peoples Democratic Party and the Zenith Labour Party, Eyitayo Jegede and Agboola Ajayi respectively.[31]

Akeredolu was sworn in for a second term in office on 24 February 2021.[32] He and his new deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, assumed office on the same date and he was the incumbent deputy governor of Ondo State.[33]

Akeredolu advocated for the payment of taxes in the state to help boost the economy of the state and fulfilments of obligations.[34]

In June 2022, Akeredolu called the Owo church attack against Catholics in Ondo "satanic".[35]

Akeredolu was latterly starting up a sea port project in Ondo state and stated that his administration was committed to the completion of the project, which was initiated in his first term, saying the port would not only serve Nigeria but also the whole of West Africa once built.[36]

Illness and death

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Akeredolu was undergoing treatment for leukaemia from January 2023, and had a long period of medical absence.[37] On 12 December 2023, in advance of another period of medical leave, Akeredolu signed the notice appointing deputy governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as acting governor of the state.[38] Akeredolu died 15 days later on 27 December, at age 67 in a German hospital where he was receiving treatment, with his cause of death being given as leukaemia and prostate cancer.[39][40]

National honours

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In October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) was conferred on Akeredolu by President Muhammadu Buhari.[41]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Breaking Ondo decides Inec officially declares Rotimi Akeredolu Governor elect". www.premiumtimesng.com. 27 November 2016. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu Archives". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Akeredolu: Dawn of the Aketi movement". Vanguard News. 8 January 2020. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Nigerian Bar". www.nigerianbar.org. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  5. ^ "Olujinmi Akeredolu". Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  6. ^ "Ondo: Akeredolu wins APC gov primary". Punch Newspapers. 20 July 2020. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "OLUWAROTIMI ODUNAYO AKEREDOLU SAN". Aketi. Archived from the original on 20 April 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  8. ^ "LOYOLAN EMERGES NBA PRESIDENT". Loyola College Ibadan Old Boy's Association. Archived from the original on 11 December 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  9. ^ "Odunayo". Online Nigeria: Nigerian Names and meanings. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  10. ^ "NBA Under Me Won't Fail Nigerians – Akeredolu". Nigerian Bar Association. 4 September 2008. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  11. ^ "Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu Biography and Detailed Profile". Politicians Data. 22 May 2018. Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  12. ^ "OBITUARY: From law to politics -- the life and times of Akeredolu". 27 December 2023.
  13. ^ "NBA crisis: Lawyers seek sack of Akeredolu over corruption". NIGERIAN COMPASS. 18 November 2009. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  14. ^ "Nigeria ScoreCard". www.nigeriascorecard.com. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  15. ^ Kolade Larewaju (6 December 2009). "Locals Should Ensure Their Votes Count – Akeredolu". Vanguard. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  16. ^ "Translating a Governor's slim win". guardian.ng. 4 August 2021. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  17. ^ Jude Igbanoi (14 December 2009). "NBA Backs Akeredolu Over Yar'Adua's Health". ThisDay. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  18. ^ Abdul-Rasheed, Muritala. "Akeredolu: Getting to know a man honoured by NBA". The Nation. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  19. ^ "War against drug abuse will stem insecurity, says Marwa". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 4 February 2022. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  20. ^ Yinka Oladoyinbo (17 November 2011). "Ondo 2013: ACN and its many aspirants". Archived from the original on 19 November 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  21. ^ AYODELE ADESANMI (20 November 2011). "I am the candidate to beat in Ondo gov race – Akeredolu". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 23 November 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  22. ^ Oladesu, Emmanuel. "Akeredolu: We will form next Ondo govt". The Nation Nigeria. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  23. ^ Oladoyinbo, Yinka. "Ondo: Mimiko, Oke, Akeredolu emerged gov candidates". Tribune Nigeria Newspaper. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  24. ^ "Akeredolu's promise to create 30,000 jobs is real". The Nation Newspaper. 7 October 2021. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  25. ^ "Akeredolu's Promise of 30,000 Jobs Is A Ruse". The Will Nigeria. Archived from the original on 6 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  26. ^ "Read Akeredolus Reaction Inning Ondo Governorship Election". www.naij.com. 27 November 2016. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  27. ^ "APC Candidate Akeredolu Wins Ondo Governorship Election". saharareporters.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  28. ^ "Ondo 2020: Akeredolu picks Lucky Ayedatiwa as running mate". Vanguard News. 29 July 2020. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  29. ^ "Akeredolu wins Ondo APC governorship primary election". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 20 July 2020. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  30. ^ "UPDATED: OndoDecides2020: Akeredolu wins Ondo governorship election". 11 October 2020. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  31. ^ "Akeredolu Defeats Jegede Again, Re-Elected As Governor". Channels Television. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  32. ^ "Governor Akeredolu of Ondo has just been sworn-in for a 2nd term in office". Pulse Nigeria. 24 February 2021. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  33. ^ "Akeredolu, new deputy sworn in for second term". m.guardian.ng. 25 February 2021. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  34. ^ "Akeredolu advocates payment of taxes to fulfill obligations". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 18 January 2022. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  35. ^ "'Evil and wicked': Dozens killed in Nigeria church attack". Al Jazeera. 5 June 2022. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  36. ^ "Ondo Sea Port project not political propaganda, Akeredolu declares". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 5 February 2022. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  37. ^ "Chemotherapy Knocks Out Ailing Akeredolu For 10 Hours After Each Medication, Leaves Ondo Governor Barely Lucid Throughout The Day –Sources | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. 11 December 2023. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  38. ^ "BREAKING: Akeredolu proceeds on medical leave, transfers power to deputy". Vanguard. 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  39. ^ "Ondo Gov, Rotimi Akeredolu, Dies After Long Health Battle". Channels Television. 27 December 2023. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  40. ^ Suleiman, Qosim (27 December 2023). "BREAKING: Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is dead". Premium Times Nigeria. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  41. ^ "Akeredolu's National Honour Long Overdue – Ibrahim – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". independent.ng. 11 October 2022. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
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