Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, former First Lady and wife of the Late Ondo State’s Governor Rotimi Akeredolu says her late husband would not have survived cancer had followed her counsel instead of Pastors praying for his healing.
Akeredolu (SAN) died on December 27, 2023, from prostate cancer complications, having governed Ondo from 2017.
Betty, herself a breast cancer survivor, whose marriage to Rotimi lasted 42 years from 1981 to 2023, bared her mind to Star News on Thursday.
“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.
“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.”
According to her, a detailed understanding of cancer biology and early detection led her to establish the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria in 1997.
While advising individuals facing health crises, she urged Nigerians to seek medical attention instead of relying on faith healers.
Speaking about her personal cancer journey, she recalled facing insults 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.”
