List of Nigerian Governors Who Died in Office
Nigeria has lost three governors to death while they were still in office since the return of democracy. The latest among them was Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, who passed away on Wednesday after months of battling leukemia. He joined the list of Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and Mamman Ali of Yobe State, who also died of different causes while serving as governors.
Rotimi Akeredolu
Rotimi Akeredolu was a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He became the governor of Ondo State in 2017 after winning the 2016 election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was re-elected for a second term in 2020, defeating his rivals from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Akeredolu, 67, had been battling leukemia for a long time and had sought medical treatment in Germany several times. He had transferred power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in June 2023 and proceeded on a 21-day medical leave, which was later extended indefinitely. He returned to Nigeria in September and stayed at his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, to recuperate.
However, his health condition deteriorated and he was flown to a hospital in Abuja, where he died on Wednesday. His death was confirmed by family and top government sources, who described him as a visionary leader and a progressive politician.
His death also triggered a political crisis in Ondo State, as his deputy faced impeachment threats from the state Assembly members, who accused him of incompetence and corruption. The state was also rocked by allegations of forgery of Akeredolu’s signature by some commissioners to approve documents. The situation was calmed by the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who appealed to the lawmakers to respect the constitution and the rule of law.
Patrick Yakowa
Patrick Yakowa was the first Christian governor of Kaduna State, a predominantly Muslim state in northern Nigeria. He was appointed as deputy governor in 2005 by Ahmed Makarfi and retained the position in 2007 under Namadi Sambo. He became the governor in 2010 after Sambo was appointed as vice president by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Yakowa, 64, was re-elected as governor in 2011, defeating his main challenger from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Haruna Saeed. He was known for his efforts to promote peace and harmony among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in Kaduna State, which had witnessed several violent clashes in the past.
He died in a helicopter crash on December 15, 2012, along with the former National Security Adviser, General Owoye Andrew Azazi (rtd), and four others. They were returning from the funeral of Oronto Douglas’ father in Bayelsa State when the helicopter crashed in Nembe, Bayelsa State. The cause of the crash was attributed to bad weather and pilot error.
His death was mourned by Nigerians across the political and religious spectrum, who praised him as a humble and patriotic leader. He was succeeded by his deputy, Mukhtar Yero, who completed his tenure in 2015.
Mamman Bello Ali
Mamman Ali was a former senator and a retired air force officer. He represented Yobe South Senatorial District from 1999 to 2007 and was the chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts. He contested and won the governorship election in Yobe State in 2007 under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and was sworn in as governor on May 29, 2007.
Ali, 56, was the youngest governor in Nigeria at the time of his election. He was known for his developmental projects and reforms in the areas of education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure. He also initiated a peace and reconciliation process among the warring factions in the state, which had been plagued by insecurity and violence.
He died of leukemia on January 26, 2009, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA, where he had gone for treatment. His death was announced by his spokesman, Abdullahi Bego, who said he had been battling the disease for a long time. He was buried in his hometown of Potiskum, Yobe State, according to Islamic rites.
His death was a shock to many Nigerians, especially his supporters and admirers, who described him as a dynamic and visionary leader. He was succeeded by his deputy, Ibrahim Gaidam, who later won the 2011 and 2015 elections as governor.
