IT IS A SAD DAY IN ONDO STATE

With a heavy heart, the Ondo State Government announces the tragic passing of our beloved Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

Mr. Governor peacefully departed from this world in the early hours of today, Wednesday, December 27, 2023. This tragedy has left behind a profound void in our hearts. Governor Akeredolu answered the eternal call while receiving medical treatment in Germany. He succumbed to complications arising from protracted prostate cancer.

A letter has been sent to President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, to officially inform His Excellency of this devastating news. The Family and the Ondo State Government appreciate Mr. President for his support for Governor Akeredolu during his illness. The family and the state government will release further details regarding the funeral arrangements.

Governor Akeredolu was an extraordinary leader whose unwavering dedication to the state and its people was both commendable and unparalleled. He not only served as the Governor of Ondo State but also emerged as a prominent advocate for the entire Southwest region and the nation. Governor Akeredolu was a courageous leader and an exemplar of integrity. The weight of this loss is truly unbearable.

However, we find solace in the knowledge that Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu lived a purposeful life, devoted to the service of God Almighty.

Thank you.

Signed:
Bamidele Ademola-Olateju
Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation.

OUWAROTIMI ODUNAYO AKEREDOLU, CON

21 JULY 1956, 67yrs old
Lawyer
Politician
Life Bencher
Co-founder, Olujinmi & Akeredolu Law Firm
1978: B.L
1977: LLB, OAU

2017-2023 : Ondo State Governor
2014: APC Interim Chairman
2010-2012: Member, NJC
2008-2010: President of NBA
2008-2010: Member of Council, Int'l Bar Association
2008-2010: Member of Council, Pan-African Lawyers Union
2005-2006: Chairman Legal Aid Council
1997-1999: Attorney-General & Commisioner for Justice, Ondo State
1997-1999: Member, Council of Legal Education
1998: Senior Advocate of Nigeria
1992-1994: Vice Chairman, NBA Ibadan Branch
1988-1989: National Publicity Secretary, NBA
1985-Till date: National Executive Council of NBA
1985-1986: Secretary, NBA Ibadan Branch

I am saddened by the passing away of my friend and brother, Governor Akeredolu of Ondo State. You fought a good fight. You finished the race. You were kindhearted. You served your people with commitment. May God comfort your family and the people of Ondo State. Adieu Aketi. 💕

AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina

I extend my deepest condolences to the people of Ondo State on the passing of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu SAN. His legacy will be remembered, and my thoughts are with his family and the entire Ondo State during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace -AUF

Umaru Fintiri, Adamawa State Governor

Though from different parties, while he served as Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, I had the privilege to work closely and witness the brilliance and dedication of the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

Today, his passing leaves behind a large void; as his brilliant mind, his tenacious spirit, and his ability to organize his colleagues were often unmatched and under-appreciated.

As the people of Ondo State mourn the passing of their Governor, my family and I mourn the passing of a leader who rose through the ranks and died in the service of his state.

Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Ex-Governor of Delta State

NGF Chairman mourns Ondo Gov Akeredolu SAN

Kwara State Governor and chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed sadness on the death of Ondo State Governor Olurotimi Akeredolu (SAN), describing him as an exceptional statesman who made indelible marks in public service.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the Progressives Governors’ Forum, the government and people of Ondo State, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), as well as the immediate family of my dear brother and colleague His Excellency Olurotimi Akeredolu SAN,” the Governor said in a personal statement.

“A frontline lawyer and conscientious politician of progressive bent, His Excellency would be remembered for his courage, patriotism, and immeasurable contributions to the constitutional and sociopolitical development of Nigeria.

“As painful as his exit is to all of us, we take solace in his fine legacies as a gentleman and statesman. We ask God to repose his soul and look after his family.”

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
December 27, 2023

With deep sorrow, we have received the sad news of the passing of Governor @RotimiAkeredolu, SAN. Our sincerest condolences go out to the grieving family, Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the people of Ondo State.

Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor

I also received the passing of my good friend, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu with immense grief.

Aketi, lived a life of many accomplishments as a respected legal luminary, a successful politician, and a beloved leader.

We shall cherish his unyielding fearlessness. May the Almighty grant his soul rest, and comfort his family.

I extend my condolences to his family, H.E Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the people of Ondo State. - RMK

Rabiu Kwankwaso

Rest well Aketi

Rip

As a friend and brother of the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, I stand here today with a heavy heart.

We've been allies through many battles, shared triumphs, and stood side by side, witnessing his relentless pursuit of justice. His passing is a profound loss not just for Ondo State but for our nation.

On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and associates of the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

I sympathise with the entire people of Ondo State, particularly Owo sons and daughters, at home and abroad.

Akeredolu's impact as a beacon of hope and progress in Ondo State and Nigeria at large will forever echo. His strides in the realms of judiciary and governance remain a testament to his unwavering dedication to service.

His courageous leadership during his tenure as Governor of Ondo State illuminated the path toward progress and development. His passion for his people was boundless, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of many.

In this moment of grief, my thoughts and prayers extend to his family, his dear wife Dr. Betty Akeredolu, and all who cherished his friendship.

May the memories of his legacy serve as a source of strength as we navigate this irreplaceable loss.

Rest in eternal peace, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Your spirit of resilience and commitment to justice will forever inspire us.

I pray that God grants him eternal rest and gives his immediate family, friends, associates, and the people of Ondo State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State

I MOURN MY FEARLESS BROTHER, ROTIMI AKEREDOLU

It is a difficult task to have to pen a tribute and sing a dirge for a departing soul. It is a more difficult job in our African culture when one is compelled to do so for a younger person. Here I am with the difficult job of singing a dirge for Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, my beloved brother, confidant, political soulmate and governor of Ondo State.

I cannot fairly capture in words Rotimi’s towering figure and his human essence. Rotimi was a man who moved our nation towards equity, fairness and justice in his strident advocacy against every form of injustice in our country through the instrumentality of the law as a senior advocate, attorney general of his beloved state, as President of the Nigerian Bar Association and Governor of Ondo State.

In a challenging moment of our statehood when marauding agents of darkness spread their tentacles across our country, Rotimi was a strong voice in wilderness calling us to rethink our security architecture so we can have a more secure nation. His unrelenting advocacy led to the birth of the local police in the South West.

Rotimi was a man of ideas and action. While he was with us, he taught us the power of action and service. In Ondo State where he had the honour to serve as the Governor in the last 6 years, he served his people with absolute loyalty, dedication and forthrightness. His footprints dot the entire landscape in the hundreds of kilometres of roads he built, the many school he built and healthcare facilities that he provided. During the dark hours when marauding agents of darkness visited the state and killed defenceless citizens where 40 worshippers of the Catholic Church of Owo were killed on June 5, 2022, Rotimi’s leadership qualities as a true statesman and compassionate leader radiated brightly to the world. He was a mourner-in-chief who guided his people through an agonising period. Today, I MOURN a fighter and fearless defender of truth and the masses.

My personal journey with Rotimi started as joint members of the progressive family. We fought many battles together to restore progressive governance in the South West, Edo State and Nigeria as a whole. During this uncertain period, Rotimi was resolute and unflinching. He showed uncommon courage as member of our legal team in our battles to reclaim our stolen mandates in Ekiti, Ondo, Edo and Osun States. A gallant lawyer and one of the finest of the legal profession. I beckoned on him to contest for the governorship position of Ondo State in 2012. Even though he didn't make it in first attempt his enthusiasm and determination to serve his people never diminished. He eventually made it to the Alagbaka Government House in his second attempt in the 2016 election, Since he was sworn-in in February 2017, he had served the people with devotion.

Rotimi has played his role well and left us untimely. We will never see his likes again. Let me tell the people of Ondo State that I am grieving with you. We will honour Rotimi's memory and make sure his legacy of service is never forgotten.

In my grief and sadness, I have telephoned his wife, Betty, and Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to commiserate with them and urge them to take heart over this national tragedy.

Governor Akeredolu was not just a friend, ally and associate, he was a brother and soulmate.

His death is a blow to our governing APC and the progressive family as we are diminished by it.

I hope that his successor Aiyedatiwa will hold steadfast to the vision of governance left by this towering political leader.

H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
December 27, 2023

#Aketi

From serving as the Attorney General of Ondo State, to becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to becoming the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, to eventually serving the people of Ondo as their State’s Chief Executive, the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu lived a remarkable, inspiring, and accomplished life, by all standards.

His career, centered around the legal profession and governance, showcased his extraordinary ability to lead and serve.

As I join his dear family, my mother's kinsmen and women in Owo Town where the late governor also hailed from, the people of Ondo State, and the Nigerian Bar Association in mourning the passing of this giant, we take solace in the fact that he left behind a legacy marked by service to our nation.

We will sorely miss His Excellency, Aketi.

Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Ex-Senate President

I received with great sadness the news of the death of my brother, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, the Governor of Ondo State and Chairman, South-West Governors' Forum. I condole with his wife and children as well as the Government and people of Ondo State over this sad loss.
In Aketi, South-West has lost a dogged fighter and courageous leader who worked hard for the peace, prosperity and progress of the region. I have also lost a worthy co-fighter for the South-West cause because we were both at the vanguard of the struggle, which birthed the South-West Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun.
Aketi’s fervent and unrelenting stance on issues that border on South-West's regional integration and progress is a lesson for leaders. He will be sorely missed.
Rest well, my dear brother and may the good Lord be with everyone you left behind.

Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State

It was with a rude shock and sadness that I read about the passing of the Governor of Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Gali Umar Na’Abba.

Governor Akeredolu was a quintessential gentleman who took the finesse to governance.

A two-term elected governor of the Sunshine State, Akeredolu was a politician of class because he was never known for destructive politics.

Hon. Na’Abba on the other hand raised the bar of legislative enterprise in Nigeria as it is evident that the 1st Session of the National Assembly where he served with distinction between 1999-2003 remains one of the best in the annals of our legislatures.

Both Governor Akeredolu, Aketi, as he was fondly called, and Speaker Na’Abba will be sorely missed for the inestimable roles that they played in our national development.

I express deepest condolences to their respective families and pray to God to grant their souls a peaceful repose.

I also join the good people and governments of both Ondo and Kano States to mourn the demise of these towering political figures. -AA

Atiku Abubakar, Ex-Vice President

December 27, 2023

Press Statement

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu AketiAkeredolu’s Death, a National Loss- PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is saddened by the news of the death of the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Rotimi Akeredolu CON, SAN.

Late Governor Akeredolu was a courageous and amiable personality, brilliant lawyer and outstanding administrator with deep understanding and capacity for leadership especially in his roles towards the unity, stability and development of the nation.

His death is a huge national loss. He was an unrepentant fighter for Fairness, Equity and Justice in the affairs of the nation. He believed in true federalism, respect, defense and protection of ethnic nationalities which he advocated as prerequisite for peace and development in our nation.

The PDP commiserates with Governor Akeredolu’s widow, Betty Akeredolu, his children and the people of Ondo State. We pray to God to grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, and to the faithful departed, eternal rest in His Bosom.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary

Peoples Democratic Party

I have just received the sad news of the death of two prominent political leaders, the governor of Ondo State, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, and the Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Umar Na'Abba.

I was opportune to be close to Gov Akeredolu as the then President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. He invited me to speak at an NBA event and since then we remained close and always discussed issues about Nigeria. While Na'Abba served as Speaker, we met on several occasions and always discussed the problems of Nigeria.

For Akerodolu, may God Almighty who called him home grant him eternal rest in His kingdom, and grant his immediate family and the good people of Ondo State, the fortitude to bear his loss.

For Ghali Na'Abba, may God Almighty forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest and grant his family and the good people of Kano State, the fortitude to bear his loss.

Their deaths show us, who are still serving, the nothingness of life and why we should remain firm in good works. May God grant all of us, who mourn them, and the entire nation, the fortitude to bear their losses. -PO

Peter Obi, Ex-Governor of Anambra State

I am deeply touched by the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as officially announced earlier today.

As a legal practitioner, Arakunrin Akeredolu was one of the finest minds in the country, and as a colleague in the Governor’s Forum as the Governor of Ondo State, his wise counsel and constructive contributions will be a great miss.

I offer my deepest sympathy to the family, friends, political associates, the people of Ondo state and Nigerians who are touched by Arakunrin’s demise and pray to God to grant him eternal rest.

Ademola Adeleke, Governor of Osun State

May the departed soul rest in peace

The man really tried he push for the operation of Amotekun in South west 😢😢😢

May his soul rest in peace once again 😓😓😓

May His soul rest in perfect peace.

May his soul rest in peace

S

Rest in peace daddy

Sad day and u swear in governor less than 12hrs. Too bad

RIP Aketi.

... but it won't change the fact that Akeredolu is the worst performing governor in the history of Ondo state. Nobody will rate him ahead of Ajasin, Adefarati, Agagu or Mimiko. I pray God forgives him and allow him to make heaven.

Oga o

R I P

my governor

I, 24Seven, received the news of the death of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu with deep shock but with total submission to the will of the almighty God.

He was an Astute lawyer, politician and man of impeccable character, who was committed to the Nigerian project.

At a time when our country needs its best brains for national development, his death is really a sad one for us all.

Rest in the blossom of our Lord.

RIP

fergie001:






AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina




Umaru Fintiri, Adamawa State Governor




Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Ex-Governor of Delta State






Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor



Rabiu Kwankwaso

Deputy governor is not mourning. if you know you know

Please is the governor going to be buried in Nigeria or Abroad?

Aketi o ti lo

R.ip

What a world

davidtemi:
Sad day and u a swear in governor less than 12hrs. Too bad

RIP Mr governor

He stood to be counted when Buhari Fulani herdsmen brother were running riot

Though he should have handed over power to concentrate more on his failing health

Damn this is sad. Rest in peace man

Him deputy go dey happy low key now

After all the battle to hold on to power. Rip

fergie001:






AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina




Umaru Fintiri, Adamawa State Governor




Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Ex-Governor of Delta State






Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor



Rabiu Kwankwaso

A sad day for Nigeria however nature doesnot allow for vaccum Deputy governor dey dance skelewu

Or happiest day for the acting Governor now the Governor

Will happen to everyone eventually 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Continue to Rest in Peace as you've been doing since you started signing Ondo State documents from ibadan. I hoped your name is written in the Book of Life. Otherwise, vanity upon vanity.
I pray we all make it on the Last day when the Roll will be called.

RIP