A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo, Olusola Oke has called on the people of the state to continue to pray for the ailing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and ignore satanic rumours of death.

Akeredolu, who proceeded on medical leave, had handed over to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to act as the governor till he returns.

However, reports had surfaced on social media claiming that the governor had passed away but the reports had been found to be fake as the governor’s aides had refuted, saying the governor is still alive.

Oke, in a statement entitled “Stop this satanic verse” issued, Thursday, described the various reports about the governor as satanic and warned those behind them to stop the rumours.

“The orchestrated rumour of the death of Governor Akeredolu by some political profiteers have become a grave concern to me and men and women of good conscience in Ondo state. In the past, I have ignored the tune as a mere political adventure but the latest version of the woven wicked rumours from their mill is satanic and totally inhuman.

“As mortals, we can fall ill. The governor, like any human being can fall ill. When illness comes, we seek medical treatment and take deserving rest. This, the governor has done, and is rapidly responding to treatment. Spreading serial orchestrated rumour through cloned media platforms to harass his family, admirers and the good people of Ondo State of his death is not only ungodly, but it also reveals the toxic wickedness and inhumanity in the minds and hearts of those behind the rumour mill.

“It is now realised that these deliberate cartels of rumour peddlers have made it a habitual trade to raise a false alarm about the death of the governor to cause panic, apprehension and tension in the state and beyond. Thank God, instead of morbid panic the people of the state have responded with prayers and empathy. Daily, they pray for the governor and God, the giver of life, has indeed stood by him, his family and his well-wishers,” he counseled.