The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, is dead.
Punch reported that Akeredolu died on Wednesday morning at the age of 67. The governor reportedly passed on following a protracted battle with leukemia and prostate cancer.
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state said arrangements were being concluded to swear in his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The ailing governor returned to Nigeria in September following a three-month medical leave in Germany and only recently proceeded on another one after he was directed by President Bola Tinubu to hand over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
His deputy, Aiyedatiwa has been standing in as Acting Governor.
Following his return to Nigeria in September, Akeredolu stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and tried to govern his state from there, leading to public outrage.
The acting governor, in a statewide broadcast, admitted that the political crisis that had engulfed the state in recent times has 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.”