Ondo State Governor Akeredolu Dies at 67; 3 Aides Resign As Aiyedatiwa Takes Over

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Governor of Ondo State, died on Wednesday after battling prostate cancer, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who has been the acting governor since Dec.13 was sworn in as the new governor.

Following this, three of Akeredolu's political aides resigned citing the death of the late governor, who had been out of the state for nearly six months due to his health condition,

Adedoyin Odebowale, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, was one of the aides who filed his resignation with immediate effect and thanked the state for giving him the "rare opportunity for service," Premium Times reported.

Richard Olatunde, Akeredolu's Chief Press Secretary, was the second person who resigned from his position on the same day and Ebenezer Adeniyan was appointed to his position.

"My decision to resign from office is hinged on the unfortunate and untimely death of our leader, principal and father figure, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON," he wrote in the resignation letter.

Dare Aragbaiye, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, also submitted his resignation with immediate effect and mentioned Akeredolu's death as the reason behind his action.

"I sincerely thank his excellency for the opportunity granted me to serve in his administration as a member of the State Executive Council first as a Head of Service and now, Special Adviser," Aragbaiye said. "Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards."

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to mourn Akeredolu's demise. "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," he wrote.

Tinubu praised the late governor, who died at the age of 67, for being a man of ideas and action, adding that "he taught us the power of action and service" and "served his people with absolute loyalty, dedication and forthrightness."

The president noted that the Akeredolu played his role well but left "untimely," revealing that he had a conversation with the late governor's wife on the phone.

"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 [All Progressives Congress] 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," the president noted.