Akeredolu: Death rumour peddlers risk arrest – APC
The Ondo State All Progressives Congress says it is looking to arrest peddlers of death rumour on ailing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
The Ondo State APC Chairman, Mr Ade Adetimehin, said the party was disturbed by various fake news, reporting that the governor had passed away.
The ailing governor had two weeks ago proceeded on a 21-day medical leave abroad while he handed over to the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to function as acting governor.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Thursday, Adetimehin said, “We are not happy about some people sitting down somewhere and posting on the Internet that our governor is dead. All these are lies from the pit of hell. We don’t know why they are doing this.
“However, as a party, we are already beaming our satellite and looking out for those carrying the rumour and if we catch anybody, definitely the person would be handed over to the police. The governor is alive, let the rumour mongers stop it.”
An Ondo APC chieftain, Chief Olusola Oke, had earlier called on the people of the state to continue praying for the ailing governor.
He said, “ The orchestrated rumour of the death of Governor Akeredolu by some political profiteers has become a grave concern to me and men and women of good conscience in Ondo State. In the past, I have ignored the tune as a mere political adventure but the latest version of the woven wicked rumours from their mill is Satanic and totally inhuman.
“As mortals, we can fall ill. The governor, like any human being can fall ill. When illness comes, we seek medical treatment and take deserving rest. This, the governor has done and is rapidly responding to treatment. Spreading serial orchestrated rumour through cloned media platforms to harass his family, admirers and the good people of Ondo State of his death is not only ungodly, it reveals the wickedness and inhumanity in the minds and hearts of those behind the rumour mill.
“It is now realised that these deliberate cartels of rumour peddlers have made it a habitual trade to raise a false alarm about the death of the governor to cause panic and tension in the state and beyond. Thank God, instead of morbid panic the people of the state have responded with prayers and empathy. Daily, they pray for the governor and God, the giver of life, has indeed stood by him, his family and his well-wishers.
“The holy book has admonished us all to pray for those in positions of authority. The book probably saw in leadership positions salient burdens of leadership and the effects on their personal life.