Residents and neighbors residing in the Jericho area of Ibadan, where Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s home is located, remain uncertain about the news of the Ondo State leader’s passing. The report of Akeredolu’s death in Germany on Wednesday morning at the age of 67, following a prolonged battle with Leukemia, has left the community in disbelief.
During a visit to the governor’s residence at 10:15 am, a correspondent from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that only security personnel were present at the house. An elderly petty trader situated in front of the governor’s house initially claimed to be unaware of his demise but later acknowledged the possibility after receiving a phone call from a member of Akeredolu’s family. The woman, emotionally affected upon hearing the news, broke down in tears and praised Akeredolu as a generous and kind-hearted individual. She shared that the late governor had encouraged her to manage the kiosk she operated, and he had recently gifted her N50,000 for Christmas.
Some of Akeredolu’s neighbors, speaking to NAN, also expressed disbelief over the news of his passing. One anonymous neighbor insisted that Akeredolu was alive and urged journalists to refrain from spreading false information. According to the neighbor, there were no signs of the governor’s demise, as evidenced by the absence of people in the house except for security personnel.
Another female neighbor, while acknowledging hearing the news as a rumor, expressed her hope that it was untrue. She described Akeredolu as a kind-hearted and generous man who lived a simple life, even though he held the position of governor.