Betty warned that her late husband’s first memorial is not for “public stunt”.
Betty Akeredolu, wife of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has rejected Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s planned memorial lecture in honour of her late husband.
Betty warned that her late husband’s first memorial is not for “public stunt”.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s government fixed the lecture for Friday, in Akure as part of activities to mark the first anniversary of Akeredolu’s death on December 27, 2023.
The state government had announced that renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) would deliver the lecture and that Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa would be the Chairman of the Akeredolu Leadership Lecture Series.
However, Betty in a statement on her X account on Wednesday, distanced herself and her family from the event.
Betty criticised the state government for excluding the Akeredolu family from the planning process, alleging that they were not formally invited to the event.
She wrote, “Aketi’s first memorial is not for public stunt! Beware!!!!
“Purported Aketi lecture by Ondo State government. Lucky can't be serious! Which legacy? Mtcheew. Lecture, my foot!
“This is not for Aketi because I and my family are not aware. Damn it! As the saying goes: You and your co-travellers cannot shave Aketi's head in his absence. You cannot weep more than the bereaved.
“This is an 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 organising one yeye lecture for Aketi's memorial as an entry point to chop money on Aketi's head (You want to organise a lecture in Aketi’s honour with a plan to use it as an opportunity to embezzle funds). You are on your own o! If this is not #yahoo #419 lecture, tell me what it is!”
But in response to Betty’s statement, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, refuted claims of a rift between the state government and the Akeredolu family.
He clarified that the family had been invited to the event and highlighted the state’s efforts to honour the late governor.
“Akeredolu was not just a family man; he was the governor of Ondo State. He died while serving the state and was accorded a state burial, with the governor attending all burial activities in Akure, Owo, and Ibadan,” Adeniyan said.
He added, “The state government is organizing this lecture to commemorate the first anniversary of his passing, and an invitation has been extended to the family for representation.
“There is no conflict between the government and the family. We are also aware that other events will be held to mark this anniversary.”
Re: Purported Aketi lecture by Ondo State government.
Lucky can't be serious! Which legacy? Mtcheew 🙄🙄🙄. Lecture, my foot! This is not for Aketi because I and my family are not aware. Damn it! 😡. As the saying goes: You and your co-travellers cannot shave Aketi's head in his…— Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, PhD (@adaowere1) December 25, 2024
AKETI'S FIRST MEMORIAL IS NOT FOR PUBLICITY STUNT! BEWARE!!! pic.twitter.com/rt9a2LufYe
— Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, PhD (@adaowere1) December 25, 2024