Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, a candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections, expressed his views on the passing of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, attributing blame to the governor’s family and political associates for potentially hastening his demise.
Akeredolu, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 67 after battling prostate cancer, was reportedly given until May 2023 to live by doctors in Germany but surpassed that timeline.
Sowore suggested that Akeredolu might have had a longer life had he not been brought back to Nigeria by his wife, son, and political associates.
He implied that the decision to return was linked to political motives, particularly regarding attempts to impeach his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who assumed office as governor following Akeredolu’s passing
Highlighting his belief that Akeredolu was incapacitated before his death, Sowore previously advocated for the governor’s resignation or a demonstration of his ability to resume his duties, contesting the claims made by the governor’s family and political allies.
In an interview, Sowore expressed sorrow over the circumstances, lamenting that the decision to bring Akeredolu back to Nigeria for political reasons likely contributed to his untimely passing.
“From what I heard and I knew, he was given up till May 2023 but he survived a bit longer, and probably he would have stayed longer if his wife had not forced him to come back to try and use his presence to impeach his deputy who is now the governor of the state.”
According to Sowore, when Akeredolu returned from his medical vacation after he was informed that the sickness was terminal, “he told his family to take him to his hometown in Owo so that he could die peacefully there but his wife, son and some political friends refused because they needed to use his presence to impeach his deputy and put someone that can do their bidding.”
He said that Akeredolu’s family had kept him on a live support machine, adding that when he was taken to Germany, the first hospital that treated him earlier in Berlin rejected him, hence, they took him to Hanover where he was accepted grudgingly.
