Since the return to civil rule in 1999 after several years of military regime, Nigeria has pitiably witnessed the deaths of three executive governors while in office.
By Ademu Usman Idakwo
In the consciousness of the fact that these similar and unfortunate events are very much unwished-for, GOLDEN PAGE Magazine at this period commiserates with the concerned families and all Nigerian citizens both to examine and immortalize their victories once again.
First Governor: Senator Mamman Bello Ali
Governor Mamman Bello Ali got his start in politics by winning the election to represent Yobe South Senatorial District in the Senate from 1999 to 2007.
While serving as a senator, he chaired the Senate Committee on Public Account.
In 2007, he successfully ran for governor in Yobe under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and held the position until his passing in 2009.
He succumbed to leukemia while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Florida, United States.
Second Governor: Patrick Yakowa
Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, who served as governor of Kaduna State from 2010 to 2012, became the second governor to die in office due to a helicopter crash.
Appointed deputy governor in July 2005, he retained the position after the April 2007 election.
Sworn in as governor on May 20, 2010, Yakowa succeeded Governor Namadi Sambo, who became Vice President following the death of President Umar Yar’adu, leading to Good Luck Jonathan’s elevation to the presidency.
At the age of 64, Yakowa successfully ran for re-election in the April 2011 poll.
On December 15, 2012, Yakowa, along with former National Security Adviser General Owoye Andrew Azazi (rtd), died in a helicopter crash while returning from the funeral of Oronto Douglas’ father in Bayelsa.
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The tragic air crash also claimed the lives of Dauda Tsoho and Mohammed Kamal, both aides to Patrick, as well as pilots Muritala Mohammed Daba and Adeyemi Sowole.
The day after Yakowa’s death, his deputy, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, was sworn in as the new governor of the state by the Chief Judge, Justice Rahila Cudjoe.
Third Governor: Rotimi Akeredolu
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, popularly called “Aketi”, died in office on December 27, 2023, becoming the third governor to experience this fate. He, too, battled an illness linked to leukemia for months, bringing the total number of governors who succumbed to cancer to two.
The former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) passed away at the age of 67. Akeredolu won the governorship in Ondo State on November 27, 2016, defeating his rivals Olusola Oke and Eyitayo Jegede with 244,842 votes, according to INEC.
He took the gubernatorial oath on February 24, 2017, and secured re-election in 2020 with 292,830 votes. Akeredolu began his second term on February 24, 2021.
Out of office since June 2023, he transferred power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and took a medical leave in Germany. Despite the extension of his leave, he returned to Nigeria on September 6, staying in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Political crises ensued, involving Aiyedatiwa and the state Assembly members. President Bola Tinubu intervened to prevent Aiyedatiwa’s removal. Calls for Akeredolu’s resignation or return to office increased amid reports of forged signatures by commissioners.
On December 11, Akeredolu announced another medical leave and handed over to his deputy. He eventually passed away without returning to his position.
