By: Bayero Ade
The family of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has publicly distanced itself from a memorial lecture organized by the Ondo State Government in his honor.
Governor Akeredolu, who served as the immediate past governor of the state, passed away on December 27, 2023, after battling a prolonged illness. He was succeeded by his deputy, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in accordance with the constitutional provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a bid to commemorate the former governor’s legacy, the state government planned a memorial lecture to be delivered by prominent Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN. The event, which forms part of the Akeredolu Leadership Lecture Series, is chaired by Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa.
However, Betty Akeredolu, the widow of the late governor, criticized the initiative, alleging that it was an attempt to misuse state resources. She claimed that the family was neither informed nor involved in the planning of the event.
In a post on her verified X account, titled “Re: Purported Aketi Lecture by Ondo Lucky can’t be serious!”, she expressed her displeasure, stating:
“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! Lucky, you are preoccupied with rubbishing Aketi’s legacy; you can’t succeed, anyway.
“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 organizing 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 #Yahoo419 lecture, tell me what it is!”
The development has sparked a public debate about the motivations behind the memorial lecture and the alleged political rift between the late governor’s family and the state government.
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