In a somber announcement today, the Ondo State Government officially confirmed the demise of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The Governor, who battled protracted prostate cancer, peacefully departed in the early hours of Wednesday, December 27, 2023, while undergoing medical treatment in Germany.
A statement by Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, expressed the profound void left by the extraordinary leader. Governor Akeredolu, not only a dedicated servant of Ondo State but also a prominent advocate for the Southwest region and the nation, succumbed to complications arising from his health battle.
SpringNews previously reported on December 13, 2023, that Governor Akeredolu was returning to Germany for further treatment. His spokesperson, Richard Olatunde, confirmed that the Governor had transmitted power to Deputy Governor Lucy Aiyedatiwa, who now assumes the role of Acting Governor.
Despite returning from medical leave in September, Governor Akeredolu’s absence from Ondo State created a leadership vacuum, leading to a divided executive council. Aiyedatiwa, in a statewide broadcast, urged unity and cooperation, emphasizing a renewed commitment to the Governor’s vision for accelerated development.
The late Governor Akeredolu, remembered as a courageous leader and exemplar of integrity, leaves behind a legacy of purposeful service to the state and its people. The entire state mourns this significant loss while finding solace in his dedicated and impactful life.