Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of the late former governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has vehemently opposed plans by the state government to hold a memorial lecture in honor of her husband.
In a strongly worded statement titled “Re: Purported Aketi Lecture by Ondo State Government”, posted on her verified X account (formerly Twitter), Mrs. Akeredolu criticized the proposed event, describing it as a “fraudulent” and “self-serving” initiative by the state government
“Lucky can’t be serious! Which legacy? My foot! This is not for Aketi because I and my family are not aware. Damn it!” she wrote, referencing the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded her husband.
Mrs. Akeredolu accused the state government of exploiting her late husband’s name for personal and political gain, stating that neither she nor her family was consulted about the event.
“You cannot weep more than the bereaved,” she declared, adding that the event appeared to be an attempt to undermine her husband’s legacy.
“Now you want to pretend by organizing one yeye [meaning ‘sham’] lecture for Aketi’s memorial as an entry point to chop money on Aketi’s head. You are on your own o!” she added.
In her statement, Mrs. Akeredolu further alleged that the state government was deliberately alienating those close to her late husband. “Anybody close to Aketi and Arabinrin becomes your enemy. Your minions are scared to get close otherwise they lose their appointments,” she wrote.
Despite the opposition, the Ondo State government has insisted that the memorial lecture will proceed as planned.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, reaffirmed the government’s position, posting on Facebook, “Please, join us on Friday as we honor our former governor.” The post also included a flyer of the event, which has been widely circulated on social media and announced on broadcast platforms.
The memorial lecture is slated to take place nearly a year after the former governor’s passing. Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, following a protracted illness. He was succeeded by his estranged deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was sworn in immediately after his death.
