Governor Akeredolu’s Demise Difficult to Accept – Interior Minister

Vin Oliji, Abuja.

Last updated Dec 28, 2023

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has mourned the demise of the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), describing his passing as difficult to accept.

The Ondo State Government on Wednesday, 27th of December 2023, announced the governor’s passing.

READ MORE: Ondo State Government Announces Governor’s Demise

The minister, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Alao Babatunde, described the demise of Akeredolu as a colossal loss to the state and nation at large.

Difficult to accept! pic.twitter.com/w41VEOFyG8

— Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (@BTOofficial) December 27, 2023

“Today, we bid farewell to an extraordinary individual, a beacon of courage, admired for his unwavering patriotism and selflessness.

He traversed this earth as a true exemplar of astute leadership, embodying the essence of a genuine leader. This is indeed a colossal loss to Ondo State and the nation at large.

I mourn the loss of a voice of conscience, a man who stood steadfastly in defence of his people and nation, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.

“While his departure brings immense sorrow, we find comfort in the indelible legacies he has left behind as a noble gentleman and a dedicated statesman,“ the minister eulogized.

“May God grant him eternal peace and provide solace to his family during this difficult time,” he prayed.

READ ALSO: Akeredolu: I mourn a fighter and fearless defender of truth -President Tinubu

A Brief Biography

Born on 21 July 1956, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, popularly known as Aketi, was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who served as governor of Ondo State from February 2017 until his demise on December 27, 2023.

Governor Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu died at the age of 67 after a brief illness, his office announced on Wednesday, 27th of December, 2023.

Akeredolu was appointed Attorney-General of Ondo State from 1997 to 1999 and became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1998.

Akeredolu, who was re-elected for a second term as a governor in October 2020, was a prominent lawyer and politician, who served as the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) from 2008 to 2010.

During his time as the governor of Ondo State, he also doubled as the chairman of Southwest Governors’ Forum, a forum consisting of governors of the Southwest Nigerian states.