There are reports that Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) governor of Ondo State may have been hospitalised in Germany after falling ill.
Akeredolu reportedly left Nigeria for Germany after attending the 26th March All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention in Abuja and is said to be hospitalised in the European country.
Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu
“Yes, he is not in the country currently.
It was learnt that Akeredolu’s absence in the state has generated criticisms, with some residents of the state accusing the governor of abandoning the state.
In 2019, the governor was out of the state for five weeks while seeking medical attention in Abuja.
However, reacting to the rumoured sickness, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Richard Olatunde described it as “wicked and misleading”.
Mr Olatinde said Governor Akeredolu, alongside other colleagues, left Nigeria for Dubai to attend the largest Annual Investment Meeting in the United Emirates between 28th and 31st March 2022.
He said the governor had earlier on 23rd March 2022, sent a letter to the state House of Assembly informing the legislative arm that he would be away for 14 working days as the first part of his 2022 annual leave. He said the governor also transferred power to the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to perform the functions of his office while he is away.
“It is, therefore, glaringly insidious for anyone to claim that a man who was with his brother Governors in Dubai till March 31st, which is exactly one week today, is being hospitalized in Germany. What exposes this shameful falsehood is the fact that SaharaReporters claimed the Governor was flown out of the country to Germany when in fact, he left for Dubai.
“Ordinarily, we would not have responded to these blatant lies, but for the unsuspecting members of the public who might be hoodwinked by these lies.
“In clear terms, Governor Akeredolu is not hospitalized anywhere. These are mere wishes of failed politicians who now carry the burden of uncanny distrust and embedded treachery. We won’t even wish them their evil imaginations. Once, they have tried; and they failed woefully. No amount of borrowed falsehood to cover up their moral deficiencies will bring back their lost political glory”, Olatunde’s statement read in part.
Mr Richard Olatunde’s Full Statement
Press Statement
Sahara Reporters’ Claim On Governor Akeredolu’s Health: Wicked, Misleading
The news item published by Sahara reporters which alleged that the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is being hospitalized in Germany, is wicked and misleading.
Although giving SaharaReporters’ antecedent and stock in trade, we are not amazed at this fabricated and outright falsehood which is being spread by cronies of some disgruntled politicians in their renewed efforts at plastering battered political misadventures.
For the records, Governor Akeredolu, alongside other colleagues, left Nigeria for Dubai to attend the largest Annual Investment Meeting in the United Emirates between March 28 and March 31st, 2022.
Meanwhile, Governor Akeredolu had earlier, precisely on 23rd March 2022, sent a letter to the State House of Assembly informing the Legislative Arm that he would be away for 14 working days as the first part of his 2022 Annual Leave. He also transferred power to the deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to perform the functions of his office while he is away.
It is, therefore, glaringly insidious for anyone to claim that a man who was with his brother Governors in Dubai till March 31st, which is exactly one week today, is being hospitalized in Germany. What exposes this shameful falsehood is the fact that SaharaReporters claimed the Governor was flown out of the country to Germany when in fact, he left for Dubai.
Ordinarily, we would not have responded to these blatant lies, but for the unsuspecting members of the public who might be hoodwinked by these lies.
In clear terms, Governor Akeredolu is not hospitalized anywhere. These are mere wishes of failed politicians who now carry the burden of uncanny distrust and embedded treachery. We won’t even wish them their evil imaginations. Once, they have tried; and they failed woefully. No amount of borrowed falsehood to cover up their moral deficiencies will bring back their lost political glory.
We will also advise SaharaReporters to strive at uprightness, however difficult it seems for an entrenched, unprofessionally-warped ilk in its mode.
Journalism is about sacred truth. A Journalist cross-checks facts and presents only the truth and not fabricated stories as mindlessly portrayed by SaharaReporters in its unrepentant trajectory on the path of infamy.
Signed:
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
April 7, 2022.