Disturbed by news of husband’s rumoured passage, wife of Ondo state governor, Arabinrin Betty Akeredolu, has said her husband is not dead.
The first lady confirmed that her husband, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is out of the country but on vacation. She mocked those carrying the rumour of his death, and enjoined the governor to “dey enjoy your vacation jare.”
Reports were rife that the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain had passed on in Germany. There were claims of him being treated for cancer at a hospital abroad.
Effort to get aides to confirm the governor’s condition during the week was futile, but it was reliably gathered that he was flown abroad as his condition deteriorated.
The state chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had weekend demanded for the whereabouts of the governor, insisting that the people deserve to know. But responding to the rumours, the Ondo First Lady wrote on her known Facebook page: “Baba Aketi niyen! Dey enjoy your vacation jare. A begi wetin I dey hear, gist kini?” The wife also released a video last Sunday in which Akeredolu, 67, was seen singing and dancing in a room to show he is hale and hearty.
“Shitlover again? Na you go waka go hell fire! (That is Baba Aketi, continue enjoying your vacation. What am I hearing? ‘Shitlover’ again? It is you that will go to hell.”
The governor’s chief press secretary, Richard Olatunde, issued a statement to reiterate that Akeredolu had on 23rd May, 2023, sent a letter to the state House of Assembly that he would be away for 14 working days as the first part of his 2022 annual leave.
Olatunde said Akeredolu transferred power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The governor had resumed from the 14 days vacation and performed some official duties before he developed health complications which led to his being flown abroad, as reported.
