Ondo Government reacts to accusations from Akeredolu’s widow

Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Chief Press Secretary to the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has stated that there is no rift between the state government and the late Rotimi Akeredolu’s family regarding the scheduled memorial lecture.

Recall that Akeredolu’s widow, Betty, had accused Aiyedatiwa of an alleged attempt to exploit her husband’s legacy for financial gains.

The state government had scheduled a lecture for Friday in Akure as part of a series of activities to commemorate the first anniversary of Akeredolu’s death on December 27, 2023.

The state government had announced that renowned lawyer, Femi Falani (SAN), would deliver the lecture, with Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa serving as the chairman of the Akeredolu Leadership Lecture Series.

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However, in a post via her X handle on Wednesday, Betty Akeredolu distanced herself and her family from the planned memorial lecture.

In an interview with Punch, Adeniyan stated that Akeredolu’s family had been invited to the event and emphasised that Akeredolu was not just a family man.

He mentioned that Akeredolu was much more than just a family man; he held the important position of governor of Ondo State. His death occurred while he was still in office, serving the people of the state. As a mark of respect for his contributions, he was given a state burial, which was attended by the current state governor. The burial activities took place across various locations, including Akure, Owo, and Ibadan, where the governor participated in all the ceremonies.

The state government is organizing a special lecture to commemorate the first anniversary of his passing. In connection with this event, the government has formally invited Akeredolu’s family to be part of the proceedings, ensuring they are represented. It is important to note that there is no conflict or disagreement between the government and the family regarding this commemoration. Furthermore, we understand that there will be additional events scheduled to honor his memory and mark this significant anniversary.