Betty Akeredolu, wife of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has revealed that her husband’s reliance on spiritual interventions instead of medical treatment contributed to his untimely death from cancer.
In a no-holds-barred interview with Star News, the grieving widow did not mince words as she condemned the faith-based approach her husband adopted while battling cancer.
“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 lamented.
The former Ondo First Lady, who holds a degree in Zoology, dismissed the belief that cancer could be attributed to supernatural forces.
“You cannot pray away breast cancer or any cancer at all—quote me! Cancer progresses over time and in four stages. Climbing mountains or performing rituals is simply a waste of time while cancer cells are multiplying. The earlier you detect, present, and treat it, the better your chances of survival.”
Betty, known for her strong personality, said she faced backlash for rejecting spiritual solutions.
“When people suggested going to church or consulting a spiritualist, I simply ignored them because they were entirely ignorant. Aketi understood me, and we managed our differences, yet we had a happy marriage. He was religious, while I wasn’t. I was wired differently, and I make no apologies for that.”
Looking back on her husband’s experience, she remains unyielding in her stance against spiritual healing for cancer.
“Change? Never! Not with my experience watching Aketi battle prostate cancer. If anything, it confirms that cancer is a medical issue. It’s neither juju nor a spiritual attack.”
She urged Nigerians to embrace science over superstition, calling on the public to seek medical intervention rather than rely on prayers.
“Don’t say it’s not your portion or that you’re covered by the blood of Jesus or that you are a daughter of Zion. Be encouraged to go for cancer screening for early detection, and if cancer is suspected, go to the hospital for presentation and treatment. Don’t waste your time running to any pastor. A pastor is not a doctor; he understands nothing about cancer. He can only pray, and prayers don’t cure cancer.”
Betty Akeredolu, wife of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has revealed that her husband’s reliance on spiritual interventions instead of medical treatment contributed to his untimely death from cancer.
In a no-holds-barred interview with Star News, the grieving widow did not mince words as she condemned the faith-based approach her husband adopted while battling cancer.
“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 lamented.
The former Ondo First Lady, who holds a degree in Zoology, dismissed the belief that cancer could be attributed to supernatural forces.
“You cannot pray away breast cancer or any cancer at all—quote me! Cancer progresses over time and in four stages. Climbing mountains or performing rituals is simply a waste of time while cancer cells are multiplying. The earlier you detect, present, and treat it, the better your chances of survival.”
Betty, known for her strong personality, said she faced backlash for rejecting spiritual solutions.
“When people suggested going to church or consulting a spiritualist, I simply ignored them because they were entirely ignorant. Aketi understood me, and we managed our differences, yet we had a happy marriage. He was religious, while I wasn’t. I was wired differently, and I make no apologies for that.”
Looking back on her husband’s experience, she remains unyielding in her stance against spiritual healing for cancer.
“Change? Never! Not with my experience watching Aketi battle prostate cancer. If anything, it confirms that cancer is a medical issue. It’s neither juju nor a spiritual attack.”
She urged Nigerians to embrace science over superstition, calling on the public to seek medical intervention rather than rely on prayers.
“Don’t say it’s not your portion or that you’re covered by the blood of Jesus or that you are a daughter of Zion. Be encouraged to go for cancer screening for early detection, and if cancer is suspected, go to the hospital for presentation and treatment. Don’t waste your time running to any pastor. A pastor is not a doctor; he understands nothing about cancer. He can only pray, and prayers don’t cure cancer.”
