The Ondo State Government has described the rumoured death of governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as untrue.
The government, however, urged members of the public to ignore the rumour.
According to a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, certain persons seek to draw political mileage from the disinformation.
The government noted that the governor has been indisposed but has been attending to state matters and delegating functions to functionaries of the government, when necessary.
The statement added, “We have been inundated with calls and messages concerning the state of health of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON. We had chosen to ignore this wicked fabrication until it appeared that certain persons seek to draw political mileage from the disinformation.
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“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 members of the public to ignore the rumour. Aketi is very much alive.”
The social media was flooded with the death of Governor Akeredolu lately.
This propelled the People’s Democratic Party in the state to ask the government to declare the health status of the governor.
The opposition party, through its Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday in Akure said; “our party joins millions of Ondo State people to pray 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.
According to the statement, “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, maintained with taxpayers’ money. So, it is criminal and a great disservice to keep mum over his health status and his whereabouts.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter, demands that, those hiding the governor should tell the people where he is to save the state from speculation.
“In 2010, when then President Umar Yar’Adua was incapacitated due to ill-health, Akeredolu was one of the most vociferous voices, calling for his resignation and allowing the then Vice-President to take over. If for whatever reason, Akeredolu can no longer discharge his official responsibilities, 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).”
