Rotimi Akeredolu,the governor of Ondo state is deäd

The recent passing of Rotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo State at the age of 67, has left a noticeable void in the state’s leadership. Although reports of his demise have surfaced from various sources, the official confirmation from the state government is still pending, contributing to a sense of uncertainty in the political sphere.Signs suggest that the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, is in the final stages of arranging the inauguration of his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the successor. However, the absence of any official statement from the government and the unresponsiveness of key officials have cast shadows on the state’s political landscape.Akeredolu had been contending with health challenges, particularly battling cancer, which necessitated his periodic medical trips to Germany. During these medical leaves, he entrusted power to his deputy, Aiyedatiwa, on multiple occasions. The most recent transfer of authority occurred on December 13, 2023, according to reports from Drivetvnews.His prolonged stays in Germany for medical treatment had previously triggered controversies and factionalism among government officials in Ondo State. His absence led to perceived leadership vacuums, causing rifts among officials, some remaining loyal to Akeredolu while others sided with the deputy governor.Furthermore, internal discord within the government intensified when the governor reportedly dismissed media aides working in the office of the deputy governor, citing insubordination and a disregard for authority as grounds for their termination.Amid these challenges, Aiyedatiwa, acting in Akeredolu’s place, urged unity and collaboration among the populace and stakeholders in the state. He stressed the collective need to pursue the developmental vision initially set forth by Governor Akeredolu.Assuming the role of acting governor, the deputy governor acknowledged the political upheaval in the state and appealed for collective efforts to transcend the discord, emphasizing the pivotal role of unity in achieving accelerated development aligned with Akeredolu’s vision.As the state awaits the official confirmation of Governor Akeredolu’s passing, the transition of the deputy governor to acting governorship seeks to rally support and cooperation, ensuring the continuity of the former governor’s developmental agenda for Ondo State.