‘Exploiting Aketi’s legacy for financial gains’: Ondo Govt Responds To Akeredolu’s Widow

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

CityNews reported 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.

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 said, “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.

“The state government is organising this lecture to mark the first anniversary of his passing, and an invitation has been extended to the family for representation. There is no dispute between the government and the family, and we are aware that there will be other events lined up to mark that anniversary.”