Ondo State Mourns as Governor Akeredolu Succumbs to Leukemia at 67

(iexclusivenews) – Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has passed away after a long battle with leukemia, a type of blood cancer. He died on Wednesday in Lagos, where he was receiving treatment from State House doctors, according to a family source.

The source said that Akeredolu’s condition worsened in the last week and they could not airlift him abroad for better care.

“They were looking for dialysis machines to be sent to his secret location in Lagos last week,” the source said.

Governor Akeredolu, who was 67 years old, had been suffering from leukemia for a while and had taken several medical leaves to seek treatment in Germany and elsewhere.

He had recently handed over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who has been acting as the Ondo State governor in his absence.

Akeredolu’s Illness and Controversy

Akeredolu’s illness had been a subject of controversy and speculation in Ondo state, as he had tried to conceal it from the public and govern the state from afar.

He had returned to Nigeria in September after spending three months in Germany, but he had stayed in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, instead of his official residence in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.

This had caused public outrage and criticism, as many people accused him of neglecting his duties and being insensitive to the plight of the people.

Some also questioned his fitness to continue in office and demanded that he resign or be impeached.

Governor Akeredolu had also faced opposition from his own party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as he had fallen out with the national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, who had reportedly instructed him to hand over power to his deputy.

Akeredolu had resisted this move, but eventually complied after his health deteriorated.

MORE NEWS:

Plateau Massacre: How 112 Lives Were Lost to Herdsmen Attacks on Xmas Eve

Governor Akeredolu Of Ondo State Takes Medical Leave, Hands Over to Deputy

Akeredolu’s Wife Cancels Birthday Celebration

Akeredolu’s wife, Betty, had also shown signs of distress and concern over her husband’s health, as she had cancelled the activities planned for her 70th birthday celebration in July.

Berty had announced this on Twitter, saying that she had to suspend the events due to unforeseen circumstances beyond her control.

She had apologized for any inconvenience caused by this development and assured her family and friends that she would celebrate in style upon her return.

Betty had also expressed her gratitude for their understanding and support. She had signed off as Arabinrin, meaning “sister” in Yoruba, and Ada Owere I, meaning “the daughter of Owere” in Igbo.

What is Leukemia and How Does It Affect the Body?

Leukemia is a cancer that affects the blood and the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside the bones where blood cells are made.

It occurs when the bone marrow produces too many abnormal white blood cells, which are the cells that fight infections in the body.

These abnormal white blood cells do not function properly and crowd out the normal red blood cells and platelets, which are the cells that carry oxygen and help the blood to clot.

This leads to a variety of symptoms and complications, such as anemia, bleeding, infections, and organ damage.

There are different types of leukemia, depending on the type of white blood cell affected and the speed of progression.

The most common types are acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

The treatment for leukemia depends on the type, the stage, the age, and the general health of the patient. The main options are chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, and targeted therapy. The goal of treatment is to kill the cancer cells, restore normal blood cell production, and prevent recurrence.

Some of the symptoms of leukemia are:

– Weakness or fatigue

– Bruising or bleeding easily

– Fever or chills

– Infections that are severe or keep coming back

– Pain in your bones or joints

– Headaches, vomiting, seizures, or weight loss

– Night sweats, shortness of breath, or swollen lymph nodes or organs

Leukemia is a serious and life-threatening disease that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms, please consult a doctor as soon as possible.