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Ondo Governor Akeredolu Incapacitated, Refuses Deputy Handover
After it was revealed in January that Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo State, was undergoing treatment for a medical condition believed to be blood cancer, specifically leukemia.
Recently, reliable sources within the government have informed SaharaReporters that Governor Akeredolu is currently confined to a bed in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State.
Due to his condition, he is unable to carry out the task of signing official documents.
It was discovered that the governor of the state has been left alone by his wife and children, who have reportedly distanced themselves from him during this time.
Meanwhile, despite his current state of incapacitation, the governor has chosen not to delegate his responsibilities to his deputy and hand over the reins of power.
Akeredolu is a second-term governor under the All Progressives Congress and his tenure will come to an end in 2025.
One of the sources revealed “Governor Akeredolu is incapacitated and bedridden in his Ibadan home. His hands and legs are immovable. His wife and kids also abandoned him,”
“He is unable to sign documents but he could still speak. Meanwhile, he has refused to hand over the affairs of government to his deputy,” the source added.
In a previous exclusive report from January, SaharaReporters disclosed that Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, was undergoing treatment for an illness suspected to be blood cancer, specifically leukemia.
During that time, a source within the Alagbaka Government House had revealed that the governor was diagnosed with leukemia and was experiencing a significant decline in his health.
Betty, the wife of the governor, recently expressed her concerns publicly about her husband’s health, stating that he fell ill after consuming a homemade remedy provided by one of his female aides, Bunmi Ademosun.
In a leaked audio recording, the First Lady accused Bunmi Ademosun, who serves as the special adviser to the governor on Multilateral and Inter-Governmental Affairs, of secretly administering a traditional herbal drink to Governor Akeredolu without proper authorization or medical supervision.
“This is Arabinrin, I have a message for Ademosun and I believe that she’s on this Aketi’s women platform. I want this woman to stay away from my husband, stop sneaking in concoction.
“According to her, they are from her fake pastors to give my husband to drink. 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.
“And look, if you are dealing with an Igbo woman in this kind of situation, I’ll deal with you mercilessly that you won’t forget in your life. For the very last time Ademosun, stay away from Aketi, you won’t find it funny with me. You are a very terrible woman, go away and enjoy your look,” the governor’s wife is heard saying in an audio file.
Contrary to recent reports, the governor, through his Chief Press Secretary Richard Olatunde, issued a statement asserting that his health condition was not extraordinary or out of the ordinary.
Governor Akeredolu emphasized that he was actively fulfilling his official duties and carrying out his responsibilities as required.
In April 2022, SaharaReporters published an exclusive report stating that the governor of Ondo State was admitted to a hospital in Germany after falling ill.
In 2019, he was also out of the state for five weeks while seeking medical attention in Germany and Abuja, Nigeria.
“Yes, I needed to seek medical attention. It was nothing so serious as overblown because it is routine. But on my return, I needed to take some time off based on advice. It wasn’t as serious as people blew it,” he said after arriving in Nigeria from Germany.
“But basically, my stay back in Abuja was indeed not a serious period to even rest because I had to attend to a lot of issues that will move the state forward.
“I received in audience a world-class medical foundation, Medicus International, from Germany as I presided over the signing of the MoU for them to build a world-class medical city in Akure.
“You are aware that I attended the governors’ forum meeting as well as the National Economic Council meeting and several others. Of particular note was the meeting I held with the World Bank that will bring in a capital of about $19 million for the development of the state. As you can see, I’m back fresher and stronger to continue the work the good people of the state mandated me to do.”
The governor’s acknowledgment of his illness contradicts the previous stance taken by Donald Ojogo, who served as the information commissioner at that time. Ojogo had previously stated that Governor Akeredolu did not seek medical treatment, dismissing reports of his illness as malicious and deceptive.
However, in April 2022, the governor’s health condition became apparent, leading to the contradiction of Ojogo’s earlier remarks.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) has defended its position following the controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board over the disputed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Moroccan football authority said its appeal was strictly aimed at ensuring the proper application of competition rules, and not to question the sporting merit or performance of any team involved in the final.
The federation emphasized its commitment to fairness, transparency, and the stability of African football competitions, noting that its actions were guided by respect for established regulations.
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“The Federation reiterates that its approach has always been grounded in respect for the rules and stability of African competitions,” the statement read.
FRMF also praised all participating nations in the tournament, describing the 2025 AFCON as a significant milestone in the growth and development of football across the continent.
However, the body revealed that a more detailed position would be made public after a scheduled meeting of its governing organs.
The statement is expected to further clarify Morocco’s stance and outline any possible legal or administrative steps moving forward.
The CAF Appeal Board’s decision has continued to generate widespread reactions among football stakeholders, with growing calls for clearer regulations, improved transparency, and consistency in the administration of African football.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
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Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
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