₦airaland Forum

Former Ondo State First Lady, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has spoken about her late husband, former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s battle with cancer, expressing strong criticism of reliance on spiritual interventions.

In an exclusive interview with Star News publisher, Olumide Akinrinlola, on Thursday, Betty revealed that if her late husband had prioritised medical treatment over spiritual practices, she believed his life could have been prolonged.

“What came out of their mountain climbing, blessed handkerchiefs, water, olive oil, etc., from the GOs and all the noisy prayers like people possessed by demons? If Aketi had listened to me, I wouldn’t be a widow,” she said.

Betty, a breast cancer survivor, detailed how her understanding of cancer biology and early detection led her to establish the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria in 1997.

She emphasised that cancer should be viewed as a medical issue, not a spiritual attack.

“You cannot pray away breast cancer or any cancer at all,” she asserted.

On Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration in Ondo State, she described it as “rudderless” and highlighted concerns about a key appointment.

While she declined to comment on governance specifics, she pointed to the reappointment of a former finance commissioner who had been sacked for financial misconduct under her husband’s administration.

“You can connect the dots as to why Lucky brought her back,” she noted.

When asked about the current Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu, she said, “Only those benefiting would say that. You don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that all is not well in the country.”

Betty also reaffirmed her senatorial ambition, saying she remains fully committed to pursuing her political goals.

Offering advice to individuals facing health crises, she urged Nigerians to seek medical attention instead of relying on faith healers.

“A pastor is not a doctor; he understands nothing about cancer. He can only pray, and prayers don’t cure cancer. Consult a doctor—not just any doctor, but a doctor who specialises in cancer cases,” she warned.

Betty revealed that if her late husband had prioritised medical treatment over spiritual practices, she believed his life could have been prolonged.

EmeeNaka:
Aketi should know to not trust spiritualists when he has a means to sort his problem. Why then did God made him Governor? He prioritized prayer to medical treatments, so he want God to do everything for him. Anyway, may his soul Rest In Peace.

eddychukwu:
You mean he did not allow you to control him like other simps.

Ojuntana:
This is deeply concerning if true

One thing I've come to learn is that superstition is not cured by education

What cures it I don't know but it can do a lot of damage to life and living

Ojuntana:
This is deeply concerning if true

One thing I've come to learn is that superstition is not cured by education

What cures it I don't know but it can do a lot of damage to life and living

dollypi:
Dora Akunyuli did the same, according to her son.

GanagiBitrus:
Insightful. 🤔

Though "Spiritual Practices" is still very important.

SmartPolician:
God has given us power to do everything unaided. Therefore, it's important to seek medical help first while fortifying it with prayers. When you go to a hospital and the tests show nothing, then it's clearly a spiritual issue.

PressMyButton:
This woman never talk wetin dey do am. Was Aketi not flown abroad for treatment?. You abandoned your husband and started struggling for power with his deputy while abandoning your latehusband. You think you can now open your wicked mouth to blame the dead and exempt yourself?. Na guilty conscience go kill you. See the horseshit this wicked woman is saying behind her late husband, what she dare not say when he was alive, a typical ipob snake. And if you think Tinubu would support you to hold onto power against the constitution, then you must be out of your mind. Keep saying trash about the President because he asked you to do the right thing. After coming out to say nonsense the public, you go back into your room and cry yourself to sleep.