Akeredolu returns to Nigeria
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State returned to Nigeria on Wednesday after a three-month medical leave in Germany. He arrived at 11:45 p.m. and was received by a few of his aides.
Akeredolu had travelled to Germany on June 6, 2023, for medical treatment. He did not disclose the nature of his illness, but he said he was going for a “routine medical check-up”.
Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the wife of the governor, confirmed the development on her X page on Thursday.
“Homebound,” she posted with a picture of the governor at about 3:34 p.m., wearing a black jacket, sitting in a plane.
Akeredolu was welcomed by his close aides at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo state.
He is expected to spend a number of days there before moving to the Government House in Akure, Ondo state.
“Yes, Akeredolu is back in the country. His health has significantly improved and this prompted his return to the country and he is in high spirits and eager to resume his duties as soon as possible,” a state official told TheCable.
Akeredolu left Nigeria in June for medical attention in Germany following a letter sent to the Ondo state house of assembly of his intention to embark on a 21-day leave.
He asked Lucky Aiyedatiwa, his deputy governor, to act in his stead.
On July 11, Aiyedatiwa said Akeredolu would resume duty after being certified fit by doctors.
However, the continuous stay of the Ondo governor in Germany generated concerns among the political class and residents of the state.
To allay fears, on July 21, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, his wife, shared a photograph of her husband in a medical facility. Betty posted the picture across her social media handles.
The picture showed the ailing governor sitting on a motorable chair while his wife posed beside him.
On August 31, a report claimed that Akeredolu had arrived in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, from Germany.
Reacting to the claim in a statement, Olatunde said the return of Akeredolu was “imminent” noting that the report was created by “jittery politicians”.
“We would like to assure the good people of Ondo state and Nigerians in general that the Governor’s return will be widely publicized,” the statement reads.
“While we acknowledge that his return is imminent, we urge our citizens to disregard any false information and preemptive mischief orchestrated by jittery politicians.
