EXCLUSIVE: How Akeredolu Was Moved From Berlin To Hanover Hospital Where He Died

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State died in a hospital near Hanover in Lower Saxony, a state in northwest Germany bordering the North Sea, DalenaReporters has learnt.

 

DalenaReporters further learnt that before that, Akeredolu received treatment at a hospital in Berlin. But when doctors at the Berlin hospital told the Akeredolu family that there was nothing else that they could do to save him, he was moved to the Hanover hospital, where he breathed his last.

 

“He died in a hospital near Hanover in Lower Saxony state but prior to that, he was receiving treatment in Berlin,” a source told DalenaReporters on Wednesday.

 

DalenaReporters earlier reported that more details had revealed that Akeredolu died in a German hospital.

 

DalenaReporters earlier broke the news about Akeredolu’s death but the report said that he died in Lagos. However, the newspaper later got fresh details revealing that Akeredolu died in a German hospital (in Hanover) after he was rejected by another hospital (in Berlin) where he had been receiving treatment.

 

DalenaReporters learnt that a few days before his death, Akeredolu was flown to Germany and taken to the hospital where he was treated during his three-month medical vacation between June and September 2023 but the hospital rejected him.

 

“The hospital he normally used in Germany rejected him and the doctors told the family to take him home to die because there was nothing else they could do to save him. The doctors reminded the family that they had already told them that he had a terminal illness. The doctors had decided that it was the end of the road for him. The family then took him to another hospital where he eventually died,” a top source had explained.

 

The 67-year-old politician returned to Nigeria in September after a three-month medical leave in Germany and only recently proceeded on another leave after he was directed by President Bola Tinubu to hand over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

 

His deputy, Aiyedatiwa, who had been standing in as Acting Governor following President Tinubu’s directive, was on Wednesday sworn in by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olusegun Odusola.

 

Following his return to Nigeria in September, Akeredolu stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and tried to govern his state from there, leading to public outrage. 

On Wednesday, the state government announced that Akeredolu died of prostate cancer.

 

A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju issued on Wednesday, several hours after the news of his demise went viral, said that Akeredolu died in Germany after battling prostate cancer.

 

Titled: "It Is a sad day in Ondo State," the statement partly read, “With a heavy heart, the Ondo State Government announces the passing of our beloved Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

 

“Mr. Governor peacefully departed from this world in the early hours of today, Wednesday, December 27, 2023. This tragedy has left behind a profound void in our hearts.

 

“Governor Akeredolu answered the eternal call while receiving medical treatment in Germany. He succumbed to complications arising from protracted prostate cancer.”

 

It noted that a letter had been sent to President Tinubu to officially inform him about the governor’s death.

 

“The family and the Ondo State Government appreciate Mr. President for his support for Governor Akeredolu during his illness. The family and the state government will release further details regarding the funeral arrangements,” it added.

 

On July 9, Akeredolu’s wife, Betty announced the suspension of activities lined up to celebrate her 70th birthday.