Betty Akeredolu, wife of the late former Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has blamed her husband’s preference for spiritual healing over medical treatment for his death from cancer.
Speaking in an interview with Star News, she dismissed the notion that cancer could be cured through prayers or supernatural means, stressing the importance of medical intervention.
“You cannot pray away breast cancer or any form of cancer—mark my words! Cancer advances through four stages, and instead of wasting time on spiritual rituals, people should seek medical treatment,” she said.
Akeredolu, a zoologist and strong proponent of science-based healthcare, criticized the use of religious items like handkerchiefs, water, and anointing oil as alternatives to proper medical care.
“If Aketi had taken my advice seriously, I wouldn’t be a widow today,” she remarked.
She urged Nigerians to focus on early detection and medical solutions rather than seeking healing from religious leaders who lack medical knowledge.
“A pastor is not a medical doctor. He knows nothing about cancer. He can pray, but prayers don’t cure cancer,” she concluded.