Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation Bamidele Ademola-Olateju described the incident as the “handiwork of mischief makers” on Saturday.
Rumours that Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was killed were the “handiwork of mischief makers,” according to the Ondo State Government.
Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the Commissioner for Information, who revealed this following the viral misinformation over the weekend, advised the people of the State and the country to disregard the claim.
“We have been inundated with calls and messages concerning the state of health of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON,” Olateju said in a statement.
“We had chosen to ignore this wicked fabrication until it became clear that certain individuals were seeking political mileage from the disinformation.”
“Though the Governor has been ill for some time, he has been attending to state matters and delegating functions to Government functionaries as needed.”
However, amid reports of Akeredolu’s ill health, the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanded Akeredolu’s resignation, claiming that the state should not remain grounded due to the governor’s health.
The party, through its Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, also urged the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, and the state government to quit politicizing the governor’s health and to call for his resignation if he is no longer fit.
Peretei then challenged the State government and the governor’s handlers to prove Akeredolu’s survival.
“Since Sahara Reporters reported that the governor is bedridden and incapacitated, Akeredolu’s handlers responded by fueling public anxiety and suspicion, rather than telling the State where he is, or getting him to address Ondo State from wherever he is on planet earth,” he stated.
“Tongues began wagging when Akeredolu did not return to his duty post after his celebrated annual leave in March of this year.” Akeredolu was conspicuously absent from President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration in Abuja.
“The deafening silence from government information machinery was suddenly broken by old videos of Akeredolu dancing and singing praises.”
“On the eve of the inauguration of the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly, there were reports of a ‘Owo cabal’ led by Akeredolu’s heir apparent, Babajide, mobilising Members-elect to make a legislator from Owo Speaker, as a fall back position to retain the leadership of the state in Owo, in the event of the worst happening, after impeaching the incumbent Deputy Governor”
“These rumors almost put the state on edge until this morning, when the Ondo State House of Assembly retained the current power structure of the Assembly Speakership in the Ondo Central Senatorial District.”
“The state would have been spared unnecessary anxiety if Akeredolu’s handlers had done the necessary.”
“Any human being, as a mortal, can become ill.” Whether in government or in private life. Rotimi Akeredolu is employed by the people of Ondo State and is supported by taxpayers. “It is therefore criminal and a great disservice to remain silent about his health status and whereabouts,” the spokesman continued.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter demands that those hiding the governor tell the people where he is to save the state from speculation,” he added.
“When then-President Umar Yar’Adua was incapacitated due to illness in 2010, Akeredolu was one of the most outspoken critics, calling for his resignation and allowing the then-Vice-President to take over.”
“If Akeredolu is unable to discharge his official responsibilities for whatever reason, the most reasonable thing to do is to hand over to the Deputy Governor, as required by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”
“Our party joins millions of Ondo State residents in praying for Akeredolu’s quick recovery, but nobody should politicize his illness.” Nobody should take the state any further than it is already. If Akeredolu is no longer fit to be governor, he should quit.”
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