Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, is dead.
Punch reported that Akeredolu died on Wednesday morning at the age of 67. The governor reportedly died of leukemia and prostate cancer.
Sources in the Ondo state government also confirmed the development to TheCable.
On September 7, Akeredolu returned from a three-month medical leave in Germany and set up office in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
Akeredolu’s return, remote work condition and initial refusal to hand over the reins of power to Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the deputy governor, sparked a political crisis in the state.
There were allegations that the governor’s signature was being forged by his loyalists in the conduct of government business.
On November 24, President Bola Tinubu waded into the crisis.
Akeredolu had transmitted power to Aiyedatiwa to act as the governor after he returned to Germany on medical vacation.
The governor had also informed the state House of Assembly about the development through a letter.
The acting governor, in a statewide broadcast, admitted that the political crisis that had engulfed the state in recent time have challenged the love for the state and democracy, urging everyone to forget the past, come together, and join hands with him to develop the state.
He said, “Yesterday is already behind us. This is the time to carry aloft, with love and affection for one another, the laudable vision and mission of the governor for the state. I appeal to every member of the government of Ondo State for your genuine support, cooperation, and dedication.
”We need a renewed unity to berth the significant and accelerated development clearly envisioned and vigorously pursued by Mr. Governor.
“My good people of Ondo state, what happened in the past was a temporary delay in our democratic journey. As a government, we have recovered,” he had said.
