By Fawaz Adebisi
Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who had been shrouded in mystery due to his prolonged absence, emerged from the shadows to extend his congratulations to the winners of the gubernatorial elections in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa states.
The unexpected message from the governor, shared on his Instagram page, caught many by surprise, as his whereabouts had remained undisclosed for months.
In the cryptic Instagram post, Akeredolu expressed his well-wishes to the newly elected governors, acknowledging their victories in the fiercely contested polls.
He wrote, “I extend heartfelt congratulations to the winners of the last Saturday’s off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi and Imo States, Governor-elect Usman Ododo and the re-elected incumbent, Sen. Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC). These victories signify the people’s endorsement of their leadership, and entrusting them with the responsibility of steering their respective states towards prosperity and progress.”
Akeredolu’s location has been a topic of discussion, as his absence from state events and functions has created an uneasy calm in Ondo State.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had expressed concern, urging him to either resume his duties or consider resigning if he cannot perform his functions.
There have been rumors and insinuations about the governor’s health, as some reports suggest that he has been treating an ailment related to blood cancer (leukemia), which affects the body’s ability to fight infections.
However, the Ondo State government clarified that Akeredolu is alive and has been attending to state matters, even though he has been indisposed.
The governor himself revealed that he has been battling an illness but emphasized that it has not affected his performance as the governor.
His handlers have not released any official information regarding his whereabouts, which has fueled public anxiety and suspicion, as they stress that he is hale and healthy.
