Ignore Rotimi Akeredolu’s Death Rumour, He’s alive — Ondo Government

The state administration of Ondo State yesterday advised the public to disregard the rumors about the governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu's passing as untrue.

According to a statement from the Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the "governor is alive and has been attending to state matters, as well as delegating state functions."

According to Ademola-Olateju, the clarification became necessary because the development had raised anxiety in the state and throughout the nation. “We have been inundated with calls and messages concerning the state of health of Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN). We had chosen to ignore this wicked fabrication until it appeared that certain people sought 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 public to ignore the rumour. Aketi is very much alive.”

Aiyedatiwa, Akeredolu's deputy, should take over, according to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State branch, which has called for his resignation.

In a statement, its publicity secretary, Kennedy Peretei, emphasized that "Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu's (SAN) handlers and managers have demonstrated that they are not on top of their tasks. They tend to assume the best of everyone in the state.

“While praying for the governor’s quick recovery, the party said his aides must disclose where he has been to fray nerves in the state.”

Peretei disclosed that Akeredolu has, for some time now, been absent at national events, a situation the party said called for concern.

“The deafening silence from government information machinery suddenly saturated social media space with old videos of Akeredolu dancing and singing praises.

“These speculations almost put the state on edge until this morning when the Ondo State House of Assembly retained the present power structure of the Speakership of the Assembly in Ondo Central Senatorial District.

“If Akeredolu’s handlers had done the needful, the state would have been spared the unnecessary anxiety.

“As mortals, any human being can fall sick. Whether in public office or private life, Rotimi Akeredolu is employed by the people of Ondo State and maintained with taxpayers’ money. So, it is criminal and a great disservice to keep mum over his health status and his whereabouts.

“ The PDP, Ondo State chapter demands that those hiding the governor should tell the people where he is to save the state from speculation.

“Our party joins millions of Ondo State people in praying for Akeredolu’s quick recovery, but nobody should play politics with his ill-health. Nobody should ground the state beyond its present state. Let Akeredolu resign, if he is no longer fit to be governor.”