“How My Father Died” – Akeredolu’s Son; Wife, Betty, In Ibadan

By Adesina Soyooye

Oluwarotimi jnr, son of the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has revealed how his father died. The Governor passed on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, after a protracted battle with cancer.

In a statement which literally killed three birds with one stone, he also revealed where his father died and the exact health challenge he battled with.

In doing so, he rubbished the stories in a section of the Social Media which claimed that Governor Akeredolu died in an undisclosed hospital in Lagos. Others claimed he died while being treated by  State House Doctors because he was not able to fly to Germany. Another version, and the most ridiculous of the claims, was that there was no dialysis machine in Lagos for the late Governor’s treatment.

But according to his son, the Governor passed on in a German hospital where he was flown to for treatment when he took another medical vacation, the second within a space of six months. And contrary to the belief that he died of leukaemia (Cancer of the blood), his son said he died of a protracted prostate cancer which defied the equally very aggressive treatment to combat it. It spread aggressively.

And to confirm that his father was in no pains when he passed on, Oluwarotimi revealed that he died in his sleep, meaning that he slipped into an unconscious state and passed on from there.

It is not yet confirmed which family members were with him when he passed on, but his devoted wife, Betty, was in Ibadan Oyo State, on Wednesday, the day  he died. It is not known if she took the next available flight back to Nigeria from Germany, as soon as her husband passed-on, or was in Ibadan.

His son, in the statement he issued same Wednesday his father passed-on said the family is devastated by their patriarch’s passing, but is consoled by the fact that with his transition, he will be guided by “the benevolent hands of the Angels of light with whom he resided during his remarkable and fruitful journey on earth.”

The statement reads in part: “He died peacefully, departed in his sleep at a hospital in Germany where he was undergoing treatment for protracted prostate cancer.

“While we are deeply saddened and devastated by his departure, we find solace in the understanding that as he transits to eternity, he will be guided by the benevolent hands of the angels of light with whom he resided during his remarkable and fruitful life on earth.

“During this challenging time, we sincerely appreciate everyone who had stood by us and extended their support since the news broke.

“We humbly request your prayers and support while also asking for privacy as we navigate through this trying period.

“Details regarding the burial arrangements will be announced by the family and State Government in due course.”

Governor Akeredolu died on Wednesday, mid-way into his second term in office, after he lost his battle against cancer. His Deputy, who had been embattled, and even faced an impeachment attempt, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was sworn as the substantive State Governor on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.