Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu yesterday met with his colleagues from the South West states, dousing concerns over claims of his whereabouts and health status.
Governors present at the open meeting held at Akeredolu’s residence in Ibadan include: Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun; Engr. Seyi Makinde of Oyo; and Mr. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti.
There have been protests and press conferences in Akure, the Ondo State capital demanding the whereabouts of the governor in the last two weeks.
There were also insinuations that Akeredolu was incapacitated and hidden away from public view.
Questions about the governor’s health status comes amid festering conflict of confidence within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state which has culminated in moves to impeach the deputy governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa by the state assembly.
Despite the reconciliation efforts by the APC National Working Committee, it was learnt that the camp of the deputy governor, in a bid to fight back, was allegedly sponsoring protests and rallies calling for the governor’s resignation on health grounds.
Before Akeredolu’s public appearance yesterday, reports were rife that the governor was inaccessible and could neither speak nor move his body.
However, sources told LEADERSHIP that the visit of the South West governors to Akeredolu was at the instance of the presidential villa which wanted to verify the governor’s health status.
One of the sources within Ondo State governor’s cycle said the four governors were amazed that Akeredolu’s health status was not as being peddled around.
The source said the governors were pleased that Akeredolu is recuperating fast and has gained weight, compared to when he arrived from his medical trip to Germany last month.
Akeredolu, who appreciated the governors for their solidarity, harped on continuous collaboration among the South West states.
On his X handle, formerly called twitter, the governor who reflected on the meeting with his colleagues said “It was a delight to receive my brother Governors from the Southwest today, as we discussed National and other issues of interest to the region and the people.”
A statement issued by Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, read that the “Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, said the Forum is praying for Governor Akeredolu, adding that he has the support of all the governors in the region.
“The governors discussed national and other issues affecting the region and the people,” the statement added.
