The Ondo state government recently urged Nigerians to disregard the rumors about the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. There were widespread speculations that the governor, who has been unwell for some time, passed away this morning.
However, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, issued a statement in Akure to provide clarification. The statement addressed the numerous calls and messages received concerning the health status of Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.
The statement reads “We have been inundated with calls and messages concerning the state of health of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.
“We had chosen to ignore this wicked fabrication until it appeared that certain persons seek to draw political mileage from the disinformation.
“Though the Governor has been indisposed, he has been attending to state matters and delegating functions to functionaries of the Government, when necessary.
“We enjoin the members of the public to ignore the rumour. Aketi is very much alive.
Meanwhile, both the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed their concerns regarding the governor’s health. Stephen Adewale, the state chairman of the SDP, strongly criticized the secrecy surrounding the governor’s health conditions.
He stated that there are serious doubts about Governor Akeredolu’s ability to continue governing the Sunshine State when his medical condition remains undisclosed. Adewale found it troubling that the governor’s health had become a matter of public curiosity and concern, which hindered the state government’s ability to fulfill its obligations, including providing economic support to the impoverished population affected by the removal of subsidies by the federal government led by the APC.
On the other hand, Kennedy Peretei, the spokesperson for the PDP, called for transparency and urged those responsible for hiding the governor to disclose his whereabouts to prevent speculation.
Peretei emphasized that as a public servant paid by taxpayers, it is both criminal and a disservice to keep silent about the governor’s health status and location. He referred to a previous incident in 2010 when Governor Akeredolu himself demanded the resignation of then-President Umar Yar’Adua due to his incapacitation, advocating for the Vice-President to assume power. Peretei suggested that if Governor Akeredolu is no longer able to carry out his duties, he should follow the constitutional requirement of handing over power to the Deputy Governor.
While the PDP expressed its prayers for Governor Akeredolu’s quick recovery, they insisted that politics should not be played with his ill health, and if necessary, he should resign to prevent the state from being further affected.
