Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo State, has passed away after a prolonged struggle with leukemia.
According to a source within his family, Akeredolu breathed his last in Lagos, under the care of State House doctors, unable to travel abroad due to his health condition.
The 67-year-old governor, who had been undergoing medical attention since his return from Germany in September, recently handed over power to his deputy, Aiyedatiwa, following directives from President Bola Tinubu. Aiyedatiwa had been acting as Governor during Akeredolu’s periods of medical leave.
Akeredolu’s health struggles were evident earlier in the year when his wife, Betty, announced the suspension of her 70th birthday celebrations due to unforeseen circumstances related to her husband’s health.
Reports surfaced indicating the Governor’s battle with leukemia, a cancer of the blood affecting the production of essential blood cells, leading to severe health complications.
Leukemia, which disrupts the body’s ability to fight infections, manifests in various forms, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Its symptoms, as outlined by medical sources, encompass weakness, bruising, fever, infections, bone pain, and several other discomforts.
The Governor’s courageous fight against this formidable disease and the subsequent impact on his ability to govern drew public attention and concern. Akeredolu’s passing leaves a void in the state leadership, prompting grief and tributes from citizens across Ondo and beyond.
