The family of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has dismissed reports claiming they endorsed Bamidele Akingboye, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, in the upcoming Saturday’s governorship election.
Reports had circulated suggesting that the Akeredolu family, alongside a group called ASEI Human Rights of Nigeria, threw their support behind Akingboye.
However, Vanguard reported that during a press conference in Akure, Oba Adewuyi Babalola, the National President of ASEI Human Rights, who represented the Akeredolu family called on voters to prioritize candidate integrity over party affiliation for the sake of good governance.
In response, the Akeredolu family issued a statement signed by Oluwole Akeredolu, the immediate younger brother of the late governor. The statement refuted the reports, calling them false and misleading. Oluwole further emphasised that he was authorized to speak on behalf of the family, clarifying that no such endorsement had been made.
The statement read: “The Akeredolu Family of Owo, Ondo State is constrained to respond to reports and speculations in the mainstream and online media of the alleged support of the Family for the Social Democratic Party in the forthcoming Ondo State Elections.
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“For the avoidance of doubt, Professor Oluwole Akeredolu (the immediate younger brother of the recently departed Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu) is the head of the Akeredolu Family and solely authorised to speak on behalf of the Family. Neither he nor any of the principal members of the Family has declared support for the SDP. The Akeredolu Family has not declared any such support.
“We are not unaware of the activities of Olufemi Akeredolu (the youngest of the brothers of the immediate past Governor of Ondo State) and his association with the SDP. He is an adult, an individual with an inalienable right to freedom of association. He does not speak for the Family, neither is he authorised to do so.”
