The family of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has denied endorsing any of the governorship candidates in the Saturday election taking place in the state.
Spokesperson of the family, Professor Oluwole Akeredole stated this on Friday on the Facebook wall of the late governor.
It would be recalled that traditional and social media reported on Thursday that the Akeredolu family has endorsed the candidature of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) flag bearer Bamidele Akingboye for the election.
The reports quoted a younger brother of the late governor, Oluwafemi Akeredolu announcing the endorsement who reportedly said “Ahead of the governorship election in Ondo State on Saturday, the family of the late former governor Rotimi Akeredolu, along with a group known as ASEI Human Rights of Nigeria, has endorsed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate.
“Representing the Akeredolu family, Oluwafemi Akeredolu, along with ASEI Human Rights National President, Oba Adewuyi Babalola, urged voters to prioritize candidate integrity over party affiliation to ensure good governance,” the reports said.
Prof Akeredolu said it was not true that the family endorsed any candidate at all for the governorship election in Ondo on Saturday.
The family statement while refuting the news reports said “it 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.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Professor Oluwole Akeredolu (the immediate younger brother of the recently departed Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
“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.”
While attributing the endorsement to a much younger Akeredolu, the Profesor noted that “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.”
