The Ondo State Government, Tuesday, came out clean on the state of health of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, admitting that though he was unwell, like every mortal, he was recuperating well and very much alive to the responsibilities and duties of his high office.
Speculations had been rife for sometime now that the Governor of the Sunshine State had been battling an undisclosed debilitating disease.
The Governor, himself, confirmed he was sick last April and had to travel abroad for treatment. “I needed to seek medical attention,” he had said. “It was nothing so serious as overblown because it is routine. But on my return, I needed to take some time off based on advice. It wasn’t as serious as people blew it.”
However, anxiety heightened over the governor’s failing health when his wife, Betty, appeared in a viral audio recording in which she accused a female aide of the governor, Bunmi Ademosu, of interfering in the management of her husband’s health. (Read the transcript of the audio in next report).
But the Ondo State Government, Tuesday, put the matter beyond the realm of speculation via a press statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Richard Olatunde, declaring that: “Governor Akeredolu, just like every other mere mortals, has had some health challenge for which he has since received treatment and recuperating speedily.
(And) “Since the Governor is not a super human and the immunity his office enjoys does not extend to physical wellness or otherwise, the health issue is therefore not an unusual one.
“However, contrary to speculations and insinuations making the round, the Governor though frail, is discharging his official functions.
“Mr. Governor is not faced with any life-threatening illness that would have encouraged any alleged conspiracy in his administration.”
Below is the full text of the Ondo State Government’s release on the matter:
On Governor Akeredolu’s State Of Health, No Cause For Alarm
We have observed the growing anxiety about the State of Health of the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON. The good people of the State and, by extension, other friends and well-wishers continued to express concern over the wellness of the Governor, especially since yesterday.
We are constrained to respond to these concerns and assure our people that by the grace of God, there is no cause for alarm on the Governor’s state of health.
Governor Akeredolu, just like every other mere mortals has had some health challenge for which he has since received treatment and recuperating speedily. Since the Governor is not a super human and the immunity his office enjoys does not extend to physical wellness or otherwise, the health issue is therefore not an unusual one.
However, contrary to speculations and insinuations making the round, the Governor though frail, is discharging his official functions.
Mr. Governor is not faced with any life-threatening illness that would have encouraged any alleged conspiracy in his administration. He, in fact, held Executive Council meeting with the Exco members till 4pm on Wednesday, 11th January, 2023 after the Security Council meeting where far reaching decisions were taken on the escalated clashes in Ikare-Akoko.
On January 7, 2023 Governor Akeredolu led his brother Governors in the Southwest and other party bigwigs to receive the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure for the State Presidential Campaign Rally. On January 8, 2023, he was at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus House Cathedral, Region 22 Headquarters, Oke-Ijebu, Akure, for the Holy Service commemorating the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.
For emphasis, the Governor, who participated in rigorous campaign activities on the 7th of January, couldn’t have been bedridden as widely speculated. Moreso, last Friday, Governor Akeredolu still inaugurated a new Refrigerated Van for the use of Meat Dealers in the State. He also received the Melvin Jones Award of the Lions Club International same day.
While we appreciate the growing concerns about his well-being and indeed, appreciate the out-pour of prayers even beyond partisan lines, we urge all persons of goodwill to ignore unfounded insinuations capable of creating any false sense of needless anxiety.
The Governor will continue to discharge his official duties to the good people of Ondo State in line with the REDEEMED Agenda of his administration while he finds quality time to rest for renewed vigour and strength just like any man in his situation.
Signed:
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
January 17, 2023.
