There is a cold war between the Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the widow of his predecessor, Betty Akeredolu, over plans by the incumbent governor to organise a memorial lecture in honour of the deceased governor.
It could be recalled that former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu died on December 28, 2023, following a protracted illness.
Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, was immediately sworn in as governor in accordance with constitutional provisions.
To honour the legacy of the former governor, the state government plans to organise a memorial lecture on Friday, December 27.
However, Mrs Akeredolu has flayed Aiyedatiwa for allegedly organising a memorial lecture for her late husband without informing the family.
In a statement posted on her verified X account, the former First Lady said the lecture being organised was not for her late husband.
She said it was an “entry point to chop money on Aketi’s head.”
She dismissed the memorial lecture announcement, exclaiming: “Lucky can’t be serious!”
The former First Lady questioned the planned programme, saying “Which legacy? Mtcheew. Lecture, my foot! This is not for Aketi because I and my family are not aware. Damn it!”
Betty further chided the governor, alleging that Aiyedatiwa is trying to shave his predecessor’s head in his absence, saying for the governor to announce a Memorial Lecture without carrying her along is an insidious propaganda taken too far.
According to her, “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!”
Addressing the governor directly, Betty said “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.”
Describing Aiyedatiwa’s forthcoming memorial lecture of her later husband as “419 lecture”, Betty averred, “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 are on your own o! If this is not #yahoo #419 lecture, tell me what it is!”
However, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the planned lecture was an exclusive event of the state government.
He clarified that the organisers extended an invitation to the late Akeredolu’s family.
