Anxiety over Akeredolu’s Whereabouts 

The prolonged absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State at state events has created an uneasy calm as many worry about his whereabouts and health condition, Alex Enumah writes

As tension about the whereabouts of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu continues to build in Ondo State, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last week stirred the hornet’s nest when it asked him to resign if he could no longer perform his functions.

The PDP warned that the state should not be grounded beyond its present state and cautioned politicians against playing politics with the health of the governor. It said his handlers had not released any information as to his whereabouts.

A spokesman of the state chapter of the PDP, Kennedy Peretei, said it was a great disservice to keep mum over the governor’s health status and his whereabouts.

Citing the case of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua who was incapacitated due to ill health in 2010, the opposition party recalled that Akeredolu was one of the most vociferous voices, calling for his resignation to allow the then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to take over.

It added that if Akeredolu could no longer discharge his official responsibilities, the most reasonable thing to do was to hand over to the deputy dovernor as required by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“Since an online medium reported that the governor is bedridden and incapacitated, Akeredolu’s handlers responded by fuelling public anxiety and suspicion, instead of telling the state, where exactly he is, or getting him to address Ondo State, from wherever he is on planet earth.”

 The party traced Akeredolu’s absence to his well-publicised annual leave in March this year. It also noted his conspicuous absence at President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration in Abuja, which it said added fuel to the speculations about his whereabouts. As the government’s information machinery remained noticeably silent, old videos depicting Akeredolu dancing and singing praises flooded the social media. 

The party further stated that it observed that in the lead-up to the inauguration of the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly, reports surfaced about an influential group referred to as the “Owo cabal,” allegedly led by Babajide, who is seen as Akeredolu’s potential successor. There were allegations that this group was mobilising elected members to ensure the appointment of a legislator from Owo as the Speaker, potentially securing Owo’s leadership in the state in case of unforeseen circumstances, such as the removal of the incumbent deputy governor.

“If Akeredolu’s handlers had done the needful, the state would have been spared the unnecessary anxiety. Our party joins millions of Ondo State people to pray for Akeredolu’s quick recovery, but nobody should play politics with his health. Nobody should ground the state beyond its present state. Let Akeredolu resign if he is no longer fit to be governor.”

“As mortals, any human being can fall sick whether in public office or private life. Akeredolu is employed by the people of Ondo State and maintained with taxpayers’ money. So, it is criminal and a great disservice to keep mum over his health status and his whereabouts,” PDP added.

Concerns continue to mount over Akeredolu’s health condition as unofficial sources within the government confirmed that the governor needed “serious prayers.”

Following his uncertain health conditions, there have been concerns over his capacity to continue to lead his state. 

The governor was sworn in for a second term of four years on February 24, 2021. He still has up to February 2025, to serve out his term. The governor is the 18th person to lead the state since its creation in 1976 and the sixth elected governor of the state.

In January, his wife, Betty, attacked one of her husband’s female aides, Bunmi Ademosu, for allegedly interfering in the governor’s health management. She also said Ademosu was plotting to become the state deputy governor. Betty’s recorded audio outburst against Ademosu leaked from a Whatsapp page of the governor’s appointees.

Part of the message said, “I have a message for Ademosu. I don’t have her number, and I don’t think she is worthy of me having her number. I want this woman to stay away from my husband. Stop sneaking in concoction.”

She alleged that Ademosu brought the concoction from “her fake pastors” to give to her husband.

 “We rely on medical care; we rely on western style of medical care, and Aketi will get well. What has triggered this very message is her recent meetings to become the deputy governor of Ondo State. Look at you; what have you got upstairs to become the deputy governor of Ondo State? Peradventure, anything happens to Aketi, Lucky takes over; it’s a constitutional thing. 

“But for you to be scheming, for you to be scheming. I warned Aketi from the beginning that this woman is evil; this woman is no good, and it’s happening. She has nothing good for you, and I warned you. This woman is bloody evil. But I’m warning her for the very last time to stay away from my husband.”

The governor’s wife stressed that Ademosu should know she was dealing with an Igbo woman.

 She vowed to deal with Ademosu mercilessly should anything happen to her husband.

Akeredolu had proceeded on a two-week working vacation as part of his annual leave on April 3. He had promised to resume work on April 26, but has not been seen since then.

Recent concerns about his health conditions have fuelled political intrigues, betrayals, and ambitious power struggles. Those familiar with the state’s political landscape believe that three groups are vying for control of the state.

“There are three basic groups, who are fighting for the soul of the Sunshine State. They are those loyal to him,” said a source who spoke to THISDAY.

Unfortunately, there is also his wife, Betty and his first son, Babajide. The third group is the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his loyalists. Some loyalists are of the view that whatever happens, they will still be in control of the state.

Constitutionally, if anything happens to a governor, his deputy is supposed to take the reins of leadership. But THISDAY gathered that there are strong plans to get rid of Aiyedatiwa fast by those who are not comfortable with him.

“The governor’s son, Babajide is seen in some circles as the de facto governor and also heads an agency of government in charge of monitoring of projects,” said a source. 

“Because of that, he has an overbearing attitude. He and his mother have a hold on the government and are not ready to let go.

 “Now, there is the deputy governor, who is also positioning himself to drag the position with them. Those who are opposed to the deputy governor have succeeded in ingraining it in the heart of the governor that his deputy is over ambitious,” the source added.

Based on this, the state has been turned into a political battlefield. Those who allegedly want to succeed the governor at the expiration of his tenure include the current Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa; Senator-elect, Jimoh Ibrahim; Olusola Oke, Ife Oyedele, among others.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Akeredolu would have preferred Akinterinwa. 

The intrigues made the Vice Chairman of the Aketi-Ayedatiwa Medical Committee, 2020 and Leader, Aketi Medical Team, 2016, Dr. Olusegun Akeredolu, to call on the people of the state to rise up and stop the illegality. He said that Yar’Adua’s scenario must not be allowed to repeat itself.

 “In the same way that President Yar’Adua’s true state of health was unknown in 2010, no one knows the whereabouts of Governor Akeredolu. The signals so far show that all is not well with the number one citizen in the Sunshine State.”

He made a clarion call for indigenes to support Aiyedatiwa and for security  beef-up against any machinations of political desperadoes. He also insisted that the state must not be left to the governor’s wife or son to rule.

Recently, there was a mild drama in the state House of Assembly as the newly-elected Speaker, Hon Olamide Oladiji, ignored the deputy governor in order of protocol, fuelling the speculations of a frosty relationship between Governor Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa.

 The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the state had reacted to the issue in a statement issued by its chairman, Stephen Adewale, in Akure, the state capital.  Adewale argued that being a public officer, the governor’s health record should not be shrouded in secrecy.

“We strongly believe that the good people of Ondo State have the right to know about the medical conditions of Arakunrin Akeredolu. In contrast to ordinary residents who have the right to keep their health state to themselves, high-level elected officials like Arakunrin, whose treatment is being paid for by the public, cannot hide behind personal rules.”

But while responding to news about the governor’s incapacitation, the state government urged the people of the state to ignore any rumour, adding that he is very much in good condition.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, acknowledge that the governor had been indisposed, but added that he has been attending to state matters and delegating functions to functionaries of the government, when necessary.

 In a reaction to the PDP’s claim, a video was released by the state government showing the governor watching the Manchester United match.

 The commissioner said: “We have been inundated with calls and messages concerning the state of health of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN). We had chosen to ignore this wicked fabrication until it appeared that certain persons seek to draw political mileage from the disinformation.

“We enjoin the members of the public to ignore the rumour. Aketi is very much alive.”

Despite this clarification, there seems to be no end in sight over the controversy until the governor makes a public appearance.