The government of Ondo state has issued a statement refuting the claim that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has passed away, following reports of his illness and critical condition. The denial comes after Sahara Reporters published an article alleging that the governor's family had taken measures to prevent photos of his emaciated appearance from being leaked, including asking security agents and politicians around him to switch off their phones.
According to the report, it was also claimed that Governor Akeredolu, who is serving his second term under the All Progressives Congress, has become bedridden and is scheduled to be flown out of Nigeria for medical treatment on Saturday due to his deteriorating health condition. Additionally, insiders alleged that he has refused to hand over governance responsibilities to his deputy despite his health challenges.
The article quoted an unnamed source who stated that Governor Akeredolu would be transported abroad on Saturday, emphasizing the severity of his condition. The source described him as being in a critical state, even being placed in his late mother's wheelchair and appearing unconscious. Allegedly, all security agents and a few top politicians present were instructed to turn off their phones, while his wife and children had purportedly abandoned him.
The source further claimed that the governor's condition had rendered him immobile, with his hands and legs unresponsive. However, he was said to still be able to communicate verbally, although unable to sign documents. The report mentioned that he was presently located in Ibadan, as the family preferred to have him there during critical times, away from the prying eyes of Ondo's civil servants.
In response to these reports, the Ondo state government released a concise statement consisting of five paragraphs on Saturday, June 3, vehemently denying the rumors of Governor Akeredolu's demise. The statement assured the public that he is "hale and hearty" despite his indisposition.
The statement reads as follows:
"We have been inundated with calls and messages concerning the state of health of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
"The governor is hale and hearty.
"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 rumor. Aketi is very much alive."
