Rotimi Akeredolu

==Career==
Akeredolu began his legal career as a junior counsel with the law firm, GM Ibru & Co.<ref>https://www.thecable.ng/obituary-from-law-to-politics-the-life-and-times-of-akeredolu/amp</ref> He was appointed [[Attorney general|Attorney General]] of [[Ondo State]] from 1997 to 1999.<ref name="dawn"/> In 1998, he became a [[Senior Advocate of Nigeria]]. He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006).<ref name=self/> In November 2009, he faced allegations of corruption when the Bar Association's third Vice-President, Welfare Secretary and Assistant Financial Secretary circulated a [[petition]] entitled "Complaints against your fraudulent [[Manifesto|manifestations]], violation of the NBA".<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.compassnews.net/Ng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33853:nba-crisis-lawyers-seek-sack-of-akeredolu-over-corruption&catid=43:news&Itemid=799
 |title=NBA crisis: Lawyers seek sack of Akeredolu over corruption
 |date=18 November 2009
|publisher=NIGERIAN COMPASS
 |accessdate=13 February 2010
|archive-date=8 June 2022
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044042/https://compassnews.net/Ng/?option=com_content&view=article&id=33853%3Anba-crisis-lawyers-seek-sack-of-akeredolu-over-corruption&catid=43%3Anews&Itemid=799
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref> Subsequently, the [[allegation]]s against him were reviewed and dropped by the National Executive council of the [[Nigerian Bar Association]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nigeria ScoreCard|url=https://www.nigeriascorecard.com/governor/view/rotimi-akeredolu/28|access-date=15 September 2021|website=www.nigeriascorecard.com|archive-date=15 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915132053/https://www.nigeriascorecard.com/governor/view/rotimi-akeredolu/28|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a lecture in December 2009, Akeredolu said no amount of [[electoral reform]] or judicial system could give Nigeria free and fair elections if Nigerians themselves refused to take practical steps to ensure that their votes count.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200912070161.html
 |work=Vanguard
 |title=Locals Should Ensure Their Votes Count – Akeredolu
 |author=Kolade Larewaju
 |date=6 December 2009
|accessdate=13 February 2010
|archive-date=4 June 2011
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604073807/http://allafrica.com/stories/200912070161.html
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Translating a Governor's slim win|url=https://guardian.ng/politics/translating-a-governors-slim-win/|access-date=16 September 2021|website=guardian.ng|date=4 August 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916051325/https://guardian.ng/politics/translating-a-governors-slim-win/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month he stated that [[Umaru Yar'Adua]], the President of Nigeria should have handed over to Vice-President [[Goodluck Jonathan]] in an acting capacity during his [[Disease|illness]], a statement that was backed up by the [[Nigerian Bar Association]] who said he was authorized to speak on their behalf.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200912150767.html
 |title=NBA Backs Akeredolu Over Yar'Adua's Health
 |author=Jude Igbanoi
 |date=14 December 2009
|work=[[ThisDay]]
 |accessdate=13 February 2010
|archive-date=4 June 2011
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604073731/http://allafrica.com/stories/200912150767.html
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref>

In 2012, the [[Nigerian Bar Association]] named its new secretariat in [[Abuja]] after Akeredolu, its president citing the need for "generational identification and recognition of those who had contributed immensely to the development of the association. The sheer courage for him to go through the rigour is a testimony to his selfless service."<ref>{{cite web|last=Abdul-Rasheed|first=Muritala|title=Akeredolu: Getting to know a man honoured by NBA|url=http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/mobile/law/55737-akeredolu-getting-to-know-a-man-honoured-by-nba.html|publisher=The Nation|accessdate=19 August 2012|archive-date=8 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044115/https://thenationonlineng.net/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 4 February 2022, Akeredolu was named Grand Patron of the [[National Drug Law Enforcement Agency]] by its chairman, retired Brigadier General [[Mohammed Buba Marwa]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2022 |title=War against drug abuse will stem insecurity, says Marwa |url=https://guardian.ng/news/war-against-drug-abuse-will-stem-insecurity-says-marwa/ |access-date=8 June 2022 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News |language=en-US |archive-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219010527/https://guardian.ng/news/war-against-drug-abuse-will-stem-insecurity-says-marwa/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Governorship candidate, 2011===
In November 2011, Akeredolu was among a crowd of aspirants to be the [[Action Congress of Nigeria]] (ACN) candidate for governor of Ondo State in the 2012 elections.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/31340-ondo-2013-acn-and-its-many-aspirants
 |title=Ondo 2013: ACN and its many aspirants
 |author=Yinka Oladoyinbo
 |date=17 November 2011
|accessdate=26 November 2011
|archive-date=19 November 2011
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119003642/http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/31340-ondo-2013-acn-and-its-many-aspirants
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref> During an interview that month, Akeredolu said that he had become well known and respected as president of the Bar, and described himself as a Progressive. If elected, his priorities would include agricultural development, fish farming for export, improvements to education, jobs for youths and improved roads. He would provide free education and primary health care. He was in favour of increased subsidies and greater local control over public spending.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/the-polity/5609-i-am-the-candidate-to-beat-in-ondo-gov-race-akeredolu
 |title=I am the candidate to beat in Ondo gov race – Akeredolu
 |author=AYODELE ADESANMI
 |date=20 November 2011
|work=[[Nigerian Tribune]]
 |accessdate=26 November 2011
|archive-date=23 November 2011
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123014855/http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/the-polity/5609-i-am-the-candidate-to-beat-in-ondo-gov-race-akeredolu
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref>

On 28 July 2012, Akeredolu was selected as the Action Congress of Nigeria candidate for governor of [[Ondo State]] during the ACN congress in Akure.<ref>{{cite web|last=Oladesu|first=Emmanuel|title=Akeredolu: We will form next Ondo govt|url=http://campaign.aketi.org/akeredolu-we-will-form-next-ondo-govt/|publisher=The Nation Nigeria|accessdate=19 August 2012|archive-date=5 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805051635/http://campaign.aketi.org/akeredolu-we-will-form-next-ondo-govt/|url-status=live}}</ref> His selection pitched him in a head-to-head battle with the incumbent, [[Olusegun Mimiko]] and Olusola Oke of the [[Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Peoples Democratic Party]] (PDP).<ref>{{cite web|last=Oladoyinbo|first=Yinka|title=Ondo: Mimiko, Oke, Akeredolu emerged gov candidates|url=http://tribune.com.ng/sun/news/8053-ondo-mimiko-oke-akeredolu-emerge-gov-candidates|publisher=Tribune Nigeria Newspaper|accessdate=19 August 2012|archive-date=30 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830100103/http://tribune.com.ng/sun/news/8053-ondo-mimiko-oke-akeredolu-emerge-gov-candidates|url-status=live}}</ref> Akeredolu promised to create 30,000 jobs in his first 100 days in office.<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/news/56276-akeredolu%E2%80%99s-promise-to-create-30%2C000-jobs-is-real%2C-says-spokesman.html
|title= Akeredolu's promise to create 30,000 jobs is real
|date= 7 October 2021
|publisher= The Nation Newspaper
|access-date= 19 August 2012
|archive-date= 8 June 2022
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044024/https://thenationonlineng.net/
|url-status= live
}}</ref> His promise was refuted by the (PDP) as a ruse.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://thewillnigeria.com/general/15442-Akeredolus-Promise-30000-Jobs-Ruse-Says-PDP.html
|title=Akeredolu's Promise of 30,000 Jobs Is A Ruse
|publisher=The Will Nigeria
|access-date=19 August 2012
|archive-date=6 August 2012
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806082736/http://thewillnigeria.com/general/15442-Akeredolus-Promise-30000-Jobs-Ruse-Says-PDP.html
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

On 3 September 2016, Akeredolu was awarded the ticket to represent the newly merged [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC) in the 2016 elections for Governor. On 27 November 2016, he was declared winner of the keenly contested [[2016 Ondo State gubernatorial election]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.naij.com/1063787-read-akeredolus-reaction-inning-ondo-governorship-election.html?source=notification|title=Read Akeredolus Reaction Inning Ondo Governorship Election|work=www.naij.com|date=27 November 2016|accessdate=27 November 2016|archive-date=27 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127215007/https://www.naij.com/1063787-read-akeredolus-reaction-inning-ondo-governorship-election.html?source=notification|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Governor of Ondo State===
On 27 November 2016, Akeredolu was announced by the [[Independent National Electoral Commission]] as the winner of the Ondo State governorship election. He amassed 244,842 votes in the election to defeat [[Eyitayo Jegede]] of the [[The Peoples Democratic Party|Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)]] with 150,380 votes and Olusola Oke of the [[Alliance for Democracy (Nigeria)|Alliance for Democracy]] (AD) with 126,889 votes. According to proofessor [[Ganiyu Ambali]], INEC Returning Officer, Akeredolu defeated his two major opponents Jegede and Oke, to clinch victory. He was sworn in as the governor of Ondo State on 24 February 2017 in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saharareporters.com/2016/11/27/apc-candidate-akeredolu-wins-ondo-governorship-election.ht|title=APC Candidate Akeredolu Wins Ondo Governorship Election|work=saharareporters.com|accessdate=27 November 2016|archive-date=8 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044159/http://saharareporters.com/2016/11/27/apc-candidate-akeredolu-wins-ondo-governorship-election.ht|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Re-election, 2020===
In 2020, the Aketi Movement gathered the support of over 100 groups with 200,000 members across the three senatorial districts of Ondo State for the re-election of Akeredolu as the state governor.<ref name="dawn">{{Cite web|date=8 January 2020|title=Akeredolu: Dawn of the Aketi movement |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/01/akeredolu-dawn-of-the-aketi-movement/|access-date=19 November 2021|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US|archive-date=11 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911014407/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/01/akeredolu-dawn-of-the-aketi-movement/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 29 July 2020, Akeredolu picked [[Lucky Aiyedatiwa]] as his [[running mate]] for the 2020 Ondo State Governorship election after the controversy between the Governor and his deputy, [[Agboola Ajayi]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 July 2020|title=Ondo 2020: Akeredolu picks Lucky Ayedatiwa as running mate|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/07/ondo-2020-akeredolu-picks-ayedatiwa-as-running-mate/|access-date=2 August 2020|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801130155/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/07/ondo-2020-akeredolu-picks-ayedatiwa-as-running-mate/|url-status=live}}</ref>  He beat Olusola Oke, D.I. Kekemeke, Jimi Odimayo, [[Segun Abraham]] and others in the APC primary election.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 July 2020|title=Akeredolu wins Ondo APC governorship primary election|url=https://m.guardian.ng/news/akeredolu-wins-ondo-apc-governorship-primary-election/|access-date=2 August 2020|website=The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News|language=en-US|archive-date=8 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044125/https://guardian.ng/news/akeredolu-wins-ondo-apc-governorship-primary-election/|url-status=live}}</ref> Akeredolu was declared winner of the 2020 Ondo Governorship election on 11 October 2020, after winning 15 out of 18 local governments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/419976-just-in-ondodecides2020-akeredolu-wins-ondo-governorship-election.html|title=UPDATED: OndoDecides2020: Akeredolu wins Ondo governorship election|date=11 October 2020|access-date=25 January 2022|archive-date=25 January 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220125114851/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/419976-just-in-ondodecides2020-akeredolu-wins-ondo-governorship-election.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Independent National Electoral Commission]] announced his victory on the same day. He won with a total number of 292,830 valid votes against his major opponents from the [[Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Peoples Democratic Party]] and the [[Zenith Labour Party]], [[Eyitayo Jegede]] and [[Agboola Ajayi]] respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Akeredolu Defeats Jegede Again, Re-Elected As Governor|url=https://www.channelstv.com/2020/10/11/akeredolu-defeats-jegede-again-re-elected-as-governor/|access-date=11 October 2020|website=Channels Television|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014084458/https://www.channelstv.com/2020/10/11/akeredolu-defeats-jegede-again-re-elected-as-governor/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Akeredolu was sworn in for a second term in office on 24 February 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 February 2021|title=Governor Akeredolu of Ondo has just been sworn-in for a 2nd term in office|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/akeredolu-inaugurated-for-2nd-term/cbrhh54|access-date=27 March 2021|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227105204/https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/akeredolu-inaugurated-for-2nd-term/cbrhh54|url-status=live}}</ref> He and his new deputy, [[Lucky Aiyedatiwa]], assumed office on the same date and he was the incumbent [[deputy governor]] of Ondo State.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.guardian.ng/news/akeredolu-new-deputy-sworn-in-for-second-term/|title=Akeredolu, new deputy sworn in for second term|access-date=27 March 2021|website=m.guardian.ng|date=25 February 2021|archive-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525145043/https://m.guardian.ng/news/akeredolu-new-deputy-sworn-in-for-second-term/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Akeredolu advocated for the payment of taxes in the state to help boost the economy of the state and fulfilments of obligations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 2022 |title=Akeredolu advocates payment of taxes to fulfill obligations |url=https://guardian.ng/business-services/akeredolu-advocates-payment-of-taxes-to-fulfill-obligations/ |access-date=8 June 2022 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News |language=en-US |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313083902/https://guardian.ng/business-services/akeredolu-advocates-payment-of-taxes-to-fulfill-obligations/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2022, Akeredolu called the [[Owo church attack]] against [[Catholic Church|Catholics]] in Ondo "satanic".<ref>{{cite news |date=5 June 2022|title='Evil and wicked': Dozens killed in Nigeria church attack |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/5/worshippers-killed-during-church-service-in-nigeria |access-date=8 June 2022 |publisher=Al Jazeera |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605165743/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/5/worshippers-killed-during-church-service-in-nigeria}}</ref>

Akeredolu was latterly starting up a sea port project in Ondo state and stated that his administration was committed to the completion of the project, which was initiated in his first term, saying the port would not only serve Nigeria but also the whole of West Africa once built.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 February 2022 |title=Ondo Sea Port project not political propaganda, Akeredolu declares |url=https://guardian.ng/news/ondo-sea-port-project-not-political-propaganda-akeredolu-declares/ |access-date=8 June 2022 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News |language=en-US |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307112630/https://guardian.ng/news/ondo-sea-port-project-not-political-propaganda-akeredolu-declares/ |url-status=live }}</ref>