It is no longer news that Barrister Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo State, has been ratified by the national leadership of the party as its candidate for the November 26 governorship election.
Akeredolu emerged from the primary with 669 votes to defeat the other aspirants who contested the party’s ticket.
While his victory came as a surprise to some political observers and some of his fellow aspirants, Akeredolu’s long involvement in public affairs and professional organisations has given him considerable experience in political and civic activities.
His interest in leadership dates back to his university days. Between 1975 and 1976, he served as Vice President of the Students’ Union at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Beyond politics, Akeredolu has built a long career in law, rising through the Nigerian legal profession to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
His Background
Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu was born on July 21, 1956, in Owo, Ondo State.
He was born into the family of the late Reverend J. Ola Akeredolu of the Akeredolu family in Owo Local Government Area and Lady Evangelist Grace B. Akeredolu of the Aderoyiju family in Igbotu, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Educational Background
Akeredolu began his education at Government Primary School, Owo, before attending Aquinas College, Akure, and later Loyola College, Ibadan.
He subsequently attended Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, where he completed his Higher School Certificate programme.
He proceeded to the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, where he studied Law.
After completing his university education, he attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978.
Two decades later, in 1998, he was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Legal Career
Akeredolu has held several positions within the Nigerian legal profession, particularly within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
He served as Secretary of the NBA, Ibadan Branch, between 1985 and 1986 and later became the association’s National Publicity Secretary between 1988 and 1989.
He was also a member of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria from 1989 to 1991 and served as Vice Chairman of the NBA, Ibadan Branch, in 1991.
Between 1992 and 1994, he served as Chairman of the NBA, Ibadan Branch.
Akeredolu later served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State between 1997 and 1999. During the same period, he was a member of the Ondo State Judicial Service Commission and the Council of Legal Education.
He subsequently served as Chairman of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria between 2005 and 2006.
One of the most prominent positions in his legal career came in 2008, when he became President of the Nigerian Bar Association, a position he held until 2010.
During that period, he also served in several professional and legal institutions, including the Council of Legal Education, the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, the International Bar Association and the Pan African Lawyers Union.
He was also a member of the National Judicial Council between 2010 and 2012.
Associations and Public Service
Outside the legal profession, Akeredolu has been associated with several organisations and institutions.
He served as National Secretary-General of the Loyola College Old Boys’ Association between 1995 and 1999 and was a member of the Oyo State Football Association between 1992 and 1994.
He has also been associated with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Law Society of the University of Lagos, the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), the Law Students’ Society of Adekunle Ajasin University and the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter.
He has also served as Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Owo and is a Life Member of the Body of Benchers.
Awards and Recognition
Over the years, Akeredolu has received several awards and recognitions from professional, educational, religious and community organisations.
Among them are the Obafemi Awolowo University Alumni Association Merit Award in 1994; the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter Legal Adviser Award in 1995; and the Nigerian Bar Association’s recognition following his conferment as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1998.
Other recognitions include the Loyola College Ibadan Old Boys Association Alumni Merit Award in 1999, the Law Students’ Society of Obafemi Awolowo University’s Award of Merit in 2005 and the Great Ife Alumni Association’s National Award of Officer of Great Ife in 2007.
He also received the Qatar Law Forum Award of Global Leader in Law in 2009 and the Nigerian Legal Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
Other honours have come from the Owo community, the Anglican Diocese of Owo, the Anglican Diocese of Ibadan and various legal and educational organisations.
Political Career
Akeredolu’s involvement in partisan politics became more prominent when he contested the Ondo State governorship election as the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2012.
Akeredolu’s involvement in partisan politics became more prominent when he contested the Ondo State governorship election as the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2012.
He later served as Chairman of the APC Harmonisation Committee in Ondo State in 2014 and was a member of the APC Presidential Election Council during the 2015 general elections.
His emergence as the APC governorship candidate therefore represents another major stage in a political journey that has run alongside his long career in the legal profession.
With the November 26 election approaching, Akeredolu now faces the task of translating his professional experience and political background into a campaign capable of winning the confidence of voters across Ondo State.
Family and Personal Life
Akeredolu is married to Mrs Betty Chioma Akeredolu, née Anyanwu, from Emeabiam in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
The marriage is blessed with children.
Away from law and politics, Akeredolu is known to have an interest in lawn tennis, football and singing.
0 Comments