BETTY AKEREDOLU UNDER FIRE OVER CLAIMS OF FRAUDULENT MEMORIAL LECTURE BY ONDO GOVERNMENT
The wife of the late former governor of Ondo State, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has been under serious attack over her allegations against the state governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as regards a memorial lecture in honour of her husband, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, had on Wednesday described as fraudulent, plans by the Ondo State government to organise a memorial lecture in honour of her husband, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The former Ondo First Lady in a statement tagged, “Re: Purported Aketi lecture by Ondo State government”, posted on her verified X account described the proposed memorial lecture as a “yahoo #419 lecture.
She accused the Ondo State government of using her husband name for personal gain. She emphasized that the state government did not carry the family along for the lecture.
Reactions have however been trailing her posts from her followers;
Excerpts
Zadok Akintoye
…there seems to be things you seem privy to that you are not saying. I take note of the fact that you separate the individual from his office and so, it seems to me that you are not accusing the Office of the Governor (as an institution) but his person as a former ally and protegee.
May I ask ma, what exactly is the basis upon which you accuse him of attempting to fleece the state? While you were in Office as the First Lady to your Late Husband, it was alleged that the Deputy Governor (now current Governor) was picked by you to fill that Office. Is this true? If yes, on what basis was he chosen and to what intent, considering your clear and present disagreement with him?
Answers to these questions may help in understanding the reason for/and depth of acrimony between you two.
May the good memories of your late husband in the heart of those he was good to, remain fruitful.
Iretidola Akindowo Ojekhoa
Ma, how does a whole Governor need a lecture to chop money? Is he not the custodian of all the money in the state? Please ma, Arakunrin was the Governor of Ondo state, allow the state to celebrate him the way they wish.
If you are not invited it may be because you are not on good terms with those organizing and they don’t believe you will come. But whatever the case, Aketi’s memory deserves honour not ranchor at this time
Adeyemi Temitope Sanya
Your Excellency, Arabinrin, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu
While your emotions are valid and your connection to our dearly departed Governor Akeredolu is deeply personal, I humbly wish to offer a perspective. You are indeed right to feel a strong sense of ownership and pride over the legacy of your late husband, who was not just your partner but also a father, leader, and public servant. However, it’s equally important to acknowledge that from the day he took the oath of office, he became more than a family figure—he became a leader and a symbol of Ondo State itself.
The decision of the state government to organize a memorial lecture is within their purview and, arguably, a recognition of his contributions to the development of the state. While it would have been ideal for the government to carry his immediate family along, their decision to proceed otherwise does not negate their right to honor him as a former leader of the state. It’s worth considering that such events are often for the people to reflect on the legacy of their leaders and celebrate their service.
Publicly questioning the intentions of the government and casting aspersions on their efforts might inadvertently undermine the very legacy you wish to protect. Akeredolu’s name and achievements are bigger than any individual or faction; they belong to the people of Ondo State as well.
Sometimes, silence or private communication achieves more than public confrontation. For the sake of his memory and the unity of the state he loved, I believe a more measured approach would do greater honor to his legacy.
Danielson Akpan
Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu good afternoon ma’am and merry Christmas to you and your family.
I ordinarily would have skipped responding to this post, but for the fact that the public may not understand your message.
1. Lucky, which I assume you’re referring to the governor is not the same man you used to know. He’s, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Executive Governor of Ondo State. Duly, he assumed that office and was recently elected as the substantive governor to serve another legitimate term of 4yrs.
2. We all sympathize with you and other members of the Akeredolu’s family for losing a loved one, it’s not easy and the pain can be excruciating. Please, take heart ma’am!
3. His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the legitimate governor of Ondo State reserves the exclusive right to organize any event in the name of the state. Your late husband enjoyed this without caution for almost 8yrs until his sudden demise. He chooses to honour Aketi and there’s nothing you can do about that ma’am. But if you feel he’s about to syphon the state, then you may as well be telling the knowledgeable public here that you and your family did the same when you held sway.
4. Your Excellency ma’am, may I remind you that your husband, though late but remains Ondo State property having served as the state governor. The public have the right to talk about him, good or bad. And the state governor, whether Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa or anyone in the future have the right to make reference to him.
5. Lastly, may I appeal to you and your family to allow Governor Aiyedatiwa to have his term, just as the Akeredolu’s had. Emotions wouldn’t help here, rather, may trigger unnecessary criticisms.
6. Merry Christmas and I wish you, just as always, the very best wishes and as I pray that the Almighty God grants you and the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
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