Akeredolu returns from medical leave in Germany

Reports indicate that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State is back to Nigeria after about three months of medical leave in Germany.

According to Channels news, with a single-worded post on X, formerly Twitter, the governor’s wife, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, announced his return: “Homebound”. The post was accompanied by a photo of the governor seated on an aircraft.

Details about the nature of his illness have however yet to be disclosed. Responding to death rumours involving the governor back in June, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, urged residents and the general public to disregard the speculation.

This followed concerns about the true state of the governor’s health. The governor was reported to be out of the state without officially transferring power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

It was later revealed that Akeredolu was embarking on medical leave abroad when the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, confirmed receipt of a notice from the governor.

In the letter, Akeredolu handed over the reins of office to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.  This was followed by a plea from Aiyedatiwa urging the people of the state not to relent in their prayers for Akeredolu.

In August, Akeredolu was revealed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, to be receiving treatment in Germany. It is however unclear whether the governor spent the entirety of his medical leave in the European country.