Akeredolu’s widow rejects memorial lecture by Ondo government

• Betty Akeredolu, widow of late Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, rejected a memorial lecture organised by the state government
• Betty claimed the Akeredolu family was not invited to the event and criticised the government for exploiting her late husband’s legacy
• The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Aiyedatiwa refuted the allegations, stating the family was invited and emphasising the state’s obligation to honour Akeredolu

Betty Akeredolu, the widow of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has publicly disapproved of a memorial lecture organised in his honour by the state government. The lecture is part of activities marking the first anniversary of Akeredolu’s passing on December 27, 2023.

Scheduled for Friday in Akure, the event will feature a lecture delivered by renowned lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), with Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa presiding as chairman of the Akeredolu Leadership Lecture Series.

However, Betty Akeredolu, through her verified X (formerly Twitter) account, distanced herself and her family from the event, citing a lack of consultation and exclusion from the planning process.

In a strongly worded post titled “Re: Purported Aketi Lecture by Ondo Lucky Can’t Be Serious!” Betty accused the state government of acting without the family’s input.

“Which legacy? Lecture, my foot! This is not for Aketi because my family and I are not aware. Damn it! As the saying goes: You and your co-travelers cannot shave Aketi’s head in his absence. You cannot weep more than the bereaved. This is insidious propaganda carried too far!” she wrote.

She further accused the government of exploiting her late husband’s legacy for financial benefits, describing the memorial event as a sham.

“Anybody close to Aketi and Arabinrin becomes your enemy. Your minions are scared to get close; otherwise, they lose their appointments. 

“Now you want to pretend by organising one yeye lecture for Aketi’s memorial as an entry point to chop money on Aketi’s head. You are on your own o! If this is not #Yahoo #419 lecture, tell me what it is!” she added.

In response, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, dismissed claims of exclusion or discord between the government and the Akeredolu family. Adeniyan clarified that the family had been invited to the event and emphasised the state’s responsibility to honour the late governor.

“Akeredolu was not just a family man. He was the governor of Ondo State. He died while serving the state. He was given a state burial, and the state governor attended all the burial activities in Akure, Owo, and Ibadan,” Adeniyan explained.

He added that the lecture was one of several activities planned to mark the anniversary of Akeredolu’s passing and reiterated that the family had been invited to participate.

“There is no dispute between the government and the family. We are aware that other events will also be held to commemorate his legacy,” Adeniyan concluded.

The memorial lecture's controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the state government and the Akeredolu family over handling the late governor’s legacy.

Betty Akeredolu debunks Reuben Abati’s claims, defends Igbo hospitality

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Betty Akeredolu, widow of former Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, spoke against what she described as false and divisive statements about the Igbo people. 

Her comments were in response to a controversial remark by media personality Reuben Abati on Arise TV, where he claimed Yoruba people face barriers when trying to purchase land in the southeastern part of Nigeria.