Akeredolu’s Campaigns In Shock As Health Commissioner Dies, Gov’s Wife, Aides, Six Assembly Members Test Positive For COVID-19

These are not the best of times for Ondo state people and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as deadly coronavirus (COVID-19), attacked his government.

This was after the State Commissioner for Health, Wahab Adegbenro, reportedly died from COVID-19 complications, few days after the state Govenror who is seeking a second term of office contracted the virus and went into self isolation.

The State Health Commissioner, died Thursday morning at the state’s infectious disease hospital where he was receiving treatment at the age of 65.

Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Special Duties, Odebowale Oladoyin, confirmed the death on Thursday but declined further comment on the cause of death.

Earlier on Tuesday, Governor Akeredolu, had announced his COVID-19 status and had ordered his cabinet members to go for compulsory test.

“Earlier today, I got confirmation of a positive result for Covid-19. I am asymptomatic and not displaying any symptoms. I am currently self-isolating and supervised home management will be administered by the wonderful team at our Infectious Disease Hospital. I ask that we all stay safe and be well”, the governor had tweeted.

The governor was sighted in a recent public gathering devoid of social distancing in a video which went viral sneezing on bare hands few days before his COVID-19 status became public knowledge.

BIGPEN gathered that a day later, his wife of the Governor, Dame Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, who also went into self isolation and had undergone the test alongside some of her security aides, tested positive for COVID-19.

Reports say six State House of Assembly members that reportedly followed the Governor to Abuja for the submission of his All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship nomination form, also tested positive to COVID-19.

Sources said that the situation have threw the political camp of the governor who seeks reelection in the October 10 governorship election in the state into jeopardy as anxiety mounts over the health condition of the governor, his wife, security aides and assembly members who recently contracted the virus.

BIGPEN reports Ondo currently has 353 confirmed cases, out of which 223 are active, 110 have been treated and discharged and 20 deaths recorded, so far.