Tag: Akeredolu

  • BREAKING: Hours after Akeredolu’s death, Aiyedatiwa sworn in as Ondo governor

    BREAKING: Hours after Akeredolu’s death, Aiyedatiwa sworn in as Ondo governor

    Barely 24 hours after the death of Rotimi Akeredolu, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has been sworn in as the governor.

    The swearing-in was held at the Cocoa Conference Hall in the governor’s office in Akure, the state capital, and was administered by the chief judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola at 5:18 pm.

    Recall that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu died on Wednesday morning after a prolonged health battle.

    Aiyedatiwa was the deputy governor until Wednesday, December 13 when power was formally transferred to him after Akeredolu went on another medical vacation.

  • Ooni of Ife reacts to Akeredolu’s death

    Ooni of Ife reacts to Akeredolu’s death

    Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has described the demise of Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State as a huge loss to Yoruba race and Nigeria at large.

    Ooni, who stated this in a statement he personally issued on Wednesday, said that the late governor was an epitome of honesty and courage, who lived a life worthy of emulation.

    According to him, the Oduduwa race has lost a pillar of honesty and courage; a man who served humanity with his expertise as a legal luminary, experienced politician and true descendant of Oduduwa.

    “When we were challenged at the grassroots by invaders who masqueraded as herdsmen, Aketi worked with stakeholders across South-West and the national level to deliver our mandate of security and prosperity.

    “This birthed Amotekun and other initiatives through which our people are safer and more confident to embark on their lawful businesses daily.

    “He was an honest, bold and courageous leader whose legacy will never be forgotten. If Akeredolu tells you anything, that is the way it is.

    “His death is a personal loss to me because we were very close, right from our days as students of Loyola College, Ibadan till date.

    “In fact, he did a legacy project for the school through which his name will forever be remembered,” he said.

    The royal father expressed condolences to the late governor’s wife, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the family, President Bola Tinubu, the people of the state and Nigerians in general.

  • Ondo APC mourns Akeredolu

    Ondo APC mourns Akeredolu

    The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been thrown into a mourning mood following the death of the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

    In a statement on Wednesday by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, the party described the late governor as “its pragmatic and courageous leader.”

    “The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State is in a sad mood, following the passage of its pragmatic and courageous leader, Arakurin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

    “The news of his death came like devastating storm. How are the mighty fallen!

    ” Mr. Governor’s vision and resolve to further promote the development of the land and people of the Sunshine State have been deleted by the merciless hand of death.

    “Akeredolu provided leadership, not only for the South West zone, but for the entire Southern part of the country, when it become most imperative for courage to speak.

    ” As the leader of our chapter, he provided the needed leadership, and gave the chapter two plots of land, on which the party erects it’s magnificent and enviable state secretariat.

    ” Arakurin never shied away from making his position known on any matter, irrespective of whose ox is gored. This earned him the sobriquet; ‘Aketi, the Talk-n-do’.

    ” The party expresses it’s sympathetic grief on this development to the entire Akeredolu family, the Anglican Communion, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the good people of Ondo State, that he served to the best of his ability.

    ” May the soul of our dear governor rest in peace.”

     

  • Deputy Speaker, Kalu mourns Ondo Governor, Akeredolu, says it’s a painful loss to Nig

    Deputy Speaker, Kalu mourns Ondo Governor, Akeredolu, says it’s a painful loss to Nig

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has expressed sadness over the death of the Governor of Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu.

    According to reports, Akeredolu died in Lagos on Wednesday, aged 67.

    Kalu in condolence message, described the Governor’s death as a very painful and huge loss to the nation.

    He noted that Akeredolu, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association was an advocate of good governance and true federalism.

    According to him, the late politician was committed and dedicated to the service of the Ondo State people, and made his mark in the state.

    The Deputy Speaker extolled the excellent leadership qualities of Akeredolu, saying that he contributed immensely to nation building and was a strong pillar in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Commiserating with the government and people of Ondo state over the demise of the Governor, Kalu prayed to God to grant his soul eternal rest

    Signed:

    Udora Orizu, Special Assistant on Press Affairs to the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria

  • Governor Akeredolu’s death a painful loss – Speaker Abbas mourns

    Governor Akeredolu’s death a painful loss – Speaker Abbas mourns

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, has expressed grief over the death of Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu of Ondo State, saying it is a painful loss.

    Governor Akeredolu was reported to have passed away on Wednesday at the age of 67.

    Speaker Abbas described Akeredolu’s death as a big blow to the APC family, noting that the governor was one of the brilliant legal minds in the ruling party.

    The Speaker eulogised Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, for his doggedness, brilliance, and patriotism in his lifetime.

    He said Governor Akeredolu was a champion of the rule of law, democracy and true federalism.

    Speaker Abbas recalled how the late Akeredolu was one of the leading human right activists that fought against military rule, leading to the return of democracy in 1999.

    He also noted that Akeredolu reached the peak in both his legal and political careers. While he was a member of the inner Bar as a lawyer, Speaker Abbas noted that he did not only become a governor but was Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum and Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum.

    The Speaker extended his condolences to the Akeredolu family, the people, and the government of Ondo State.

    He prayed to God to grant Governor Akeredolu eternal rest in paradise.

    Born on July 21, 1956, Governor Akeredolu hailed from Owo in Ondo State. He studied Law at the Obafemi Awolowo University (then University of Ife) where he graduated in 1977. He was called to Bar in 1978.

    Signed:

    Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • BREAKING: Ondo gov, Rotimi Akeredolu is dead

    BREAKING: Ondo gov, Rotimi Akeredolu is dead

    Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu is dead.

    According to reports, he died on Wednesday, December 27 at the age of 67.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalled that Akeredolu wrote a letter to the state House of Assembly that the deputy governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa should assume office as the acting governor after embarking on a medical leave.

    Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was first elected governor of Ondo State in 2016.

    Details to follow…

  • Aiyedatiwa resumes as Ondo acting governor, calls for renewed unity

    Aiyedatiwa resumes as Ondo acting governor, calls for renewed unity

    The Acting Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa has called for renewed unity for significant and accelerated development in the state as envisioned and pursued by Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu.

    Aiyedatiwa stated this in a statewide broadcast to the people of the state on Thursday in Akure after resuming duty as acting governor.

    The state House of Assembly on Wednesday pronounced Aiyedatiwa as the acting governor of the state, as Akeredolu continued to recuperate from illness.

    He said that what happened in the past was a temporary delay in the democratic journey, saying, “As a government, we have recovered.”.

    Aiyedatiwa also appreciated President Bola Tinubu, All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, and Pa Reuben Fasoranti amongst others for their patriotism and for being part of the peace process to guarantee continued sustenance of the state in the comity of states.

    “We must acknowledge that the key to the well-being of a man is in the hands of God. It is not for us as humans to question God but to pray for His mercies upon our lives.

    ”It is in this regard that we admit with all sense of responsibility that the intrigues that ensued due to Mr Governor’s health challenges were indeed avoidable distractions.

    “We ought to have done better to keep giving Ondo State the seamless and solid governance which Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had established in the state in the last six-and-a-half years.

    “I cannot but specially appreciate the third arm of government, the Judiciary through the honourable Chief Judge, for its courage, commitment and dedication to protecting democracy and the constitution of the nation.

    “It is on record that we all sailed through the unnecessary and avoidable weather together. We won together. We are all one large family.

    “We are one great people with one focus: to make our state greater than it is today. At a personal level, I am confident that our democracy would be further enriched by the hard lessons learnt from this episode.

    “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,” Aiyedatiwa said.

    He also urged members of the state executive council to at this time come together and support him to deliver the dividends of democracy as trustees of the people with whom common humanity is shared.

    “Also of paramount importance is the expectation of our people that we continue to deliver on the mandate given to Mr governor and my humble self.

    “We must return quickly to the path of accelerated progress that has eluded the state in the last few months,” Aiyedatiwa added.

    The acting governor further appealed to the people of the state to continue to pray for Akeredolu’s quick recovery.

  • Akeredolu embarks on another medical leave, hands over to Aiyedatiwa

    Akeredolu embarks on another medical leave, hands over to Aiyedatiwa

    The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, would be embarking on another medical leave on Wednesday, 13 December in Germany.

    This came barely four months after the governor returned to the country and stayed in his private residence in Ibadan Oyo State.

    In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, on Tuesday, the governor would return to the European country as a follow-up to his medical treatment.

    Olatunde said the governor would be going back on Wednesday, adding that he(Akeredolu) had written a letter to the state House of Assembly in that regard and the deputy governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would assume office as the acting governor.

  • Transmit power to Aiyedatiwa, Ondo PDP tells Akeredolu

    Transmit power to Aiyedatiwa, Ondo PDP tells Akeredolu

    Ondo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, called on Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to prevent further rot in the state by transmitting power to his Deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for governance to continue unabated.

    Chairman of PDP in the state, Mr Fatai Adams, made the call at a news conference at the party’s secretariat in Akure.

    Adams, who said that the party wished the governor well in his quest to get back to full fitness, however, noted that the collective well-being of the people of the state was more paramount.

    According to him, Akeredolu must abide by the advice he offered to the late President Umar Yar’Adua then and transmit power to Aiyedatiwa in the interest of the state.

    “The business of administering the state is not a tea party or a picnic; it demands every attention that can be mustered.

    “Much as we know, our governor is sick or at best, recuperating; thus he remains missing in action and our state deserves every attention. This is why the constitution has made provision for a period like this,” he said.

    Adams said that the level of impunity since the absence of Akeredolu in the state was alarming, stressing that the people of the state ‘abhor, detest, disapprove and reject’ such development.

    “We also note the total indiscipline and rudeness of some members of the State Executive Council to the office of the Deputy Governor.

    “This merely indicates that the Akeredolu administration is rudderless, not cohesive and bereft of the required legitimacy to remain atop of the affairs of government any longer.

    “We urge Akeredolu to have a sense of history. He must care enough about what history will record about him.

    Truly, he is the governor but the health of the state cannot be dragged with him to his sick bed. Posterity will not take kindly to this mean and shortsighted attitude,” he said.

    Adams, who alleged that ‘curious and inexplicable expenditure’ had been the order of the day in the state, demanded for the balance sheet of the state finances. ”PDP is more committed to discharging its responsibilities to the people and will take cogent actions to expose the many underhand actions devised to fleece the state of its money, assets and resources.

    ” In a short while, we will prepare and release to the public a compendium of illegal and illicit actions taken by functionaries of government to compromise our financial health and other sundry unpatriotic actions geared toward compromising the wellness of our future,” he said.

    The PDP chairman warned his APC counterpart in the state to desist from making ‘denigrating and pedestrian remarks’ against his party, saying that this would be met with replies with the same measure.

  • Akeredolu clears air on his forged signature by Ondo commissioners

    Akeredolu clears air on his forged signature by Ondo commissioners

    Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has made clarifications on claims that some commissioners and state officials are forging his signature.

    Recall that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Kayode Ajulo had alleged that some government officials were forging Akeredolu’s signature on official documents.

    Reacting to Ajulo’s remark, Akeredolu, through his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, described the allegation as “utterly preposterous and ludicrous,” while challenging him to present concrete evidence.

    A statement by Olatunde accused Ajulo of relying on “fabricated signatures” circulating on social media.

    He challenged Ajulo to provide the alleged forged documents or disclose the beneficiary.

    According to Olatunde: “We are more than willing to investigate the matter and prosecute anyone found culpable.

    “But we cannot entertain baseless speculations and unfounded claims.

    “The individuals behind these fabricated signatures are the real culprits engaging in criminal activities.

    “The truth of the matter is only Governor Akeredolu can claim that his signature has been forged.”