Rotimi Akeredolu Explained

Honorific Prefix:His Excellency
Rotimi Akeredolu
Honorific Suffix: SAN
Office:Governor of Ondo State
Term Start:24 February 2017
Term End:27 December 2023
Deputy:
    Predecessor:Olusegun Mimiko
    Successor:Lucky Aiyedatiwa
    Office1:President of the Nigerian Bar Association
    Term Start1:2008
    Term End1:August 2010
    Predecessor1:Olisa Agbakoba
    Successor1:Joseph Bodurin Daudu
    Office2:Attorney General of Ondo State
    Governor2:
      Term Start2:1997
      Term End2:1999
      Birth Name:Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu
      Birth Date:21 July 1956
      Birth Place:Owo, Western Region, British Nigeria (now in Ondo State, Nigeria)
      Death Place:near Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany
      Party:
        Children:4
        Alma Mater:Obafemi Awolowo University
        Nickname:Aketi

        Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (; 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". He was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who became president of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2008.[3] Akeredolu was also a managing partner at the law firm of Olujinmi & Akeredolu,[4] 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.[5] 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

        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.[6] 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.[7] His middle name Odunayo means "Year of happiness" in Yoruba.[8] He went on to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) to study Law and he graduated in 1977.[9] He was referred to the Nigerian Law School in 1978.[6] [10]

        Career

        Akeredolu began his legal career as a junior counsel with the law firm, GM Ibru & Co.[11] He was appointed Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997 to 1999. In 1998, he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006).[6] 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".[12] Subsequently, the allegations against him were reviewed and dropped by the National Executive council of the Nigerian Bar Association.[13]

        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.[14] [15] 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.[16]

        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."[17]

        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.[18]

        Governorship candidate, 2011

        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.[19] 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.[20]

        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.[21] His selection pitched him in a head-to-head battle with the incumbent, Olusegun Mimiko and Olusola Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).[22] Akeredolu promised to create 30,000 jobs in his first 100 days in office.[23] His promise was refuted by the (PDP) as a ruse.[24]

        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.[25]

        Governor of Ondo State

        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 proofessor 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.[26]

        Re-election, 2020

        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.[27]

        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

        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

        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

        Notes and References

        1. Web site: Breaking Ondo decides Inec officially declares Rotimi Akeredolu Governor elect. www.premiumtimesng.com. 27 November 2016. 27 November 2016. 28 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161128051509/http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/216442-breaking-ondodecides-inec-officially-declares-rotimi-akeredolu-governor-elect.html. live.
        2. Web site: Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu Archives. 27 March 2021. The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. en-US. 8 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044102/https://guardian.ng/tag/arakunrin-rotimi-akeredolu/. live.
        3. Web site: Nigerian Bar. www.nigerianbar.org. 27 November 2016. 8 October 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111008202940/http://www.nigerianbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7&Itemid=15. live.
        4. Web site: Olujinmi Akeredolu. 27 November 2016. 28 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161128133215/http://whoswholegal.com/firms/9327/office/12778/olujinmi-akeredolu. live.
        5. Web site: Ondo: Akeredolu wins APC gov primary. 21 July 2020. Punch Newspapers. 20 July 2020. en-US. 21 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200721085906/https://punchng.com/breaking-ondo-akeredolu-wins-apc-gov-primary/. live.
        6. Web site: OLUWAROTIMI ODUNAYO AKEREDOLU SAN . Aketi . 13 February 2010. 20 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120420072013/http://campaign.aketi.org/about-aketi/ . live .
        7. Web site: LOYOLAN EMERGES NBA PRESIDENT . Loyola College Ibadan Old Boy's Association . 13 February 2010. 11 December 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101211032422/http://www.uployola.com/loyo/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=46 . live .
        8. Web site: Odunayo. Online Nigeria: Nigerian Names and meanings. 20 November 2014. 20 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141220202959/http://www.onlinenigeria.com/nigeriannames/ad.asp?blurb=3376. live.
        9. Web site: NBA Under Me Won't Fail Nigerians – Akeredolu . 4 September 2008. Nigerian Bar Association . 13 February 2010. 27 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110727123649/http://www.nigerianbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=38 . live .
        10. Web site: Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu Biography and Detailed Profile. 22 May 2018. Politicians Data. en-US. 30 May 2020. 23 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200623074138/http://www.politiciansdata.com/content/oluwarotimi-odunayo-akeredolu/. live.
        11. https://www.thecable.ng/obituary-from-law-to-politics-the-life-and-times-of-akeredolu/amp
        12. Web site: NBA crisis: Lawyers seek sack of Akeredolu over corruption . 18 November 2009. NIGERIAN COMPASS . 13 February 2010. 8 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044042/https://compassnews.net/Ng/?option=com_content&view=article&id=33853%3Anba-crisis-lawyers-seek-sack-of-akeredolu-over-corruption&catid=43%3Anews&Itemid=799 . live .
        13. Web site: Nigeria ScoreCard. 15 September 2021. www.nigeriascorecard.com. 15 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210915132053/https://www.nigeriascorecard.com/governor/view/rotimi-akeredolu/28. live.
        14. Web site: Locals Should Ensure Their Votes Count – Akeredolu . Vanguard . Kolade Larewaju . 6 December 2009. 13 February 2010. 4 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110604073807/http://allafrica.com/stories/200912070161.html . live .
        15. Web site: Translating a Governor's slim win. 16 September 2021. guardian.ng. 4 August 2021. en-US. 16 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210916051325/https://guardian.ng/politics/translating-a-governors-slim-win/. live.
        16. Web site: NBA Backs Akeredolu Over Yar'Adua's Health . Jude Igbanoi . 14 December 2009. . 13 February 2010. 4 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110604073731/http://allafrica.com/stories/200912150767.html . live .
        17. Web site: Abdul-Rasheed. Muritala. Akeredolu: Getting to know a man honoured by NBA. The Nation. 19 August 2012. 8 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044115/https://thenationonlineng.net/. live.
        18. Web site: 4 February 2022 . War against drug abuse will stem insecurity, says Marwa . 8 June 2022 . The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News . en-US . 19 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220219010527/https://guardian.ng/news/war-against-drug-abuse-will-stem-insecurity-says-marwa/ . live .
        19. Web site: Ondo 2013: ACN and its many aspirants . Yinka Oladoyinbo . 17 November 2011. 26 November 2011. 19 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111119003642/http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/31340-ondo-2013-acn-and-its-many-aspirants . live .
        20. Web site: I am the candidate to beat in Ondo gov race – Akeredolu . AYODELE ADESANMI . 20 November 2011. . 26 November 2011. 23 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111123014855/http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/the-polity/5609-i-am-the-candidate-to-beat-in-ondo-gov-race-akeredolu . live .
        21. Web site: Oladesu. Emmanuel. Akeredolu: We will form next Ondo govt. The Nation Nigeria. 19 August 2012. 5 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120805051635/http://campaign.aketi.org/akeredolu-we-will-form-next-ondo-govt/. live.
        22. Web site: Oladoyinbo. Yinka. Ondo: Mimiko, Oke, Akeredolu emerged gov candidates. Tribune Nigeria Newspaper. 19 August 2012. 30 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120830100103/http://tribune.com.ng/sun/news/8053-ondo-mimiko-oke-akeredolu-emerge-gov-candidates. live.
        23. Web site: Akeredolu's promise to create 30,000 jobs is real. 7 October 2021. The Nation Newspaper. 19 August 2012. 8 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044024/https://thenationonlineng.net/. live.
        24. Web site: Akeredolu's Promise of 30,000 Jobs Is A Ruse. The Will Nigeria. 19 August 2012. 6 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120806082736/http://thewillnigeria.com/general/15442-Akeredolus-Promise-30000-Jobs-Ruse-Says-PDP.html. live.
        25. Web site: Read Akeredolus Reaction Inning Ondo Governorship Election. www.naij.com. 27 November 2016. 27 November 2016. 27 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161127215007/https://www.naij.com/1063787-read-akeredolus-reaction-inning-ondo-governorship-election.html?source=notification. live.
        26. Web site: APC Candidate Akeredolu Wins Ondo Governorship Election. saharareporters.com. 27 November 2016. 8 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044159/http://saharareporters.com/2016/11/27/apc-candidate-akeredolu-wins-ondo-governorship-election.ht. live.
        27. Web site: 8 January 2020. Akeredolu: Dawn of the Aketi movement . 19 November 2021. Vanguard News. en-US. 11 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210911014407/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/01/akeredolu-dawn-of-the-aketi-movement/. live.
        28. Web site: 29 July 2020. Ondo 2020: Akeredolu picks Lucky Ayedatiwa as running mate. 2 August 2020. Vanguard News. en-US. 1 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200801130155/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/07/ondo-2020-akeredolu-picks-ayedatiwa-as-running-mate/. live.
        29. Web site: 20 July 2020. Akeredolu wins Ondo APC governorship primary election. 2 August 2020. The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. en-US. 8 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044125/https://guardian.ng/news/akeredolu-wins-ondo-apc-governorship-primary-election/. live.
        30. Web site: UPDATED: OndoDecides2020: Akeredolu wins Ondo governorship election. 11 October 2020. 25 January 2022. 25 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220125114851/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/419976-just-in-ondodecides2020-akeredolu-wins-ondo-governorship-election.html. live.
        31. Web site: Akeredolu Defeats Jegede Again, Re-Elected As Governor. 11 October 2020. Channels Television. 14 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201014084458/https://www.channelstv.com/2020/10/11/akeredolu-defeats-jegede-again-re-elected-as-governor/. live.
        32. Web site: 24 February 2021. Governor Akeredolu of Ondo has just been sworn-in for a 2nd term in office. 27 March 2021. Pulse Nigeria. en-US. 27 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210227105204/https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/akeredolu-inaugurated-for-2nd-term/cbrhh54. live.
        33. Web site: Akeredolu, new deputy sworn in for second term. 27 March 2021. m.guardian.ng. 25 February 2021. 25 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210525145043/https://m.guardian.ng/news/akeredolu-new-deputy-sworn-in-for-second-term/. live.
        34. Web site: 18 January 2022 . Akeredolu advocates payment of taxes to fulfill obligations . 8 June 2022 . The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News . en-US . 13 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220313083902/https://guardian.ng/business-services/akeredolu-advocates-payment-of-taxes-to-fulfill-obligations/ . live .
        35. News: 5 June 2022. 'Evil and wicked': Dozens killed in Nigeria church attack . 8 June 2022 . Al Jazeera . 5 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220605165743/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/5/worshippers-killed-during-church-service-in-nigeria.
        36. Web site: 5 February 2022 . Ondo Sea Port project not political propaganda, Akeredolu declares . 8 June 2022 . The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News . en-US . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307112630/https://guardian.ng/news/ondo-sea-port-project-not-political-propaganda-akeredolu-declares/ . live .
        37. News: Chemotherapy Knocks Out Ailing Akeredolu For 10 Hours After Each Medication, Leaves Ondo Governor Barely Lucid Throughout The Day –Sources Sahara Reporters . 12 December 2023 . saharareporters.com . 11 December 2023 . 12 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231212075752/https://saharareporters.com/2023/12/11/chemotherapy-knocks-out-ailing-akeredolu-10-hours-after-each-medication-leaves-ondo . live .
        38. News: BREAKING: Akeredolu proceeds on medical leave, transfers power to deputy . 12 December 2023 . Vanguard . 12 December 2023 . 12 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231212124009/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/12/breaking-akeredolu-proceeds-on-medical-leave-transfers-power-to-deputy/ . live .
        39. News: Ondo Gov, Rotimi Akeredolu, Dies After Long Health Battle . 27 December 2023 . Channels Television . 27 December 2023 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227092406/https://www.channelstv.com/2023/12/27/ondo-gov-rotimi-akeredolu-dies-after-prolonged-health-battle/ . live .
        40. Web site: Suleiman . Qosim . 27 December 2023 . BREAKING: Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is dead . 27 December 2023 . Premium Times Nigeria . en-GB . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227090323/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/654371-breaking-governor-rotimi-akeredolu-is-dead.html . live .
        41. Web site: Akeredolu's National Honour Long Overdue – Ibrahim – Independent Newspaper Nigeria . 14 October 2022 . independent.ng . 14 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014102455/https://independent.ng/akeredolus-national-honour-long-overdue-ibrahim/ . live .

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