By Fisayo Akinduro

Death has cut short the life of the sixth Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu who succumbed to a bout of leukemia yesterday after months of protracted treatment within and outside the country.

Akeredolu, 67, is the first Executive Governor of the state to die in office and the fourth in the country to do so.

His death expectedly threw the residents into a shock as the news of his demise filtered in while some people broke down and wept uncontrollably.

Many people stood in twos and groups yesterday discussing the tragic incident while some eulogized the late governor for protecting the interest of the Yoruba race.

He was first sworn in February 24, 2017 and later won his reelection in February 24, 2021 for his second term.

He also served as Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State (in 1997 to 1999 under the Military administration of late Navy Captain Onyearugbulem. At a time, he was also the president of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA. 

Akeredolu was born on July 21, 1956.

He adopted the prefix Arakunrin and nickname Aketi which was a household name throughout his time in office.

Akeredolu who fell sick in 2019 was alleged to have been poisoned, a situation which he managed for over four years and eventually led to his death.

His health challenges became noticeable in 2022 when he was losing weight and abstained from public functions.

Earlier this year, Akeredolu went on medical leave and was out of the state for nearly six months (171 days) during which he was flown out of the country to receive care for an undisclosed ailment.

After weeks of speculation surrounding his health and his prolonged absence from the state, the governor officially transferred power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday, June 13. 

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, confirmed that the governor would be on a 21-day medical leave abroad from June 7 to July 6, 2023.

Since his return to Nigeria in September, the governor stayed back in Ibadan, Oyo state capital. 

He had handed over power to his deputy in June but took it back upon his return to Ibadan, and crisis erupted in their camps days later.

On December 13, 2023, Akeredolu proceeded on his last medical leave to follow-up on his treatment and handed over to his deputy, Aiyedatiwa.

During his tenure, Akeredolu went on medical leave on April 1, 2021, April 1, 2022, April 3, 2023, July 10, 2023 and December 13, 2023 and died in an undisclosed hospital on Wednesday in Germany.

Meanwhile, a family source said the details regarding the burial arrangements will be announced by the family and the State Government in due course.