Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of the late former governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu, knocked her critics on Friday through her tribute to her husband.
At the funeral service which was held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral Anglican Church, Imola, Owo, Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu said her husband was termed a weakling because he loved his Igbo wife so much despite being Yoruba.
She wrote, “Darlin,….It’s me, your adorable Betty. You just left me just like that!
“It hurts. Badly it hurts. Now alone to face all manners of mockery from the so-called friends and adversaries alike.
“Not a few lashed out that you were a weakling because you loved me. A beg o! Can an Amotekun generalsimo be a weakling? Mbanuu! It doesn’t add up nau. Haba By the way, do they know what love is? I don’t think so.
“In their homes while growing up they saw their mothers trampled upon as doormats. Beaten up like punchbags.
“They copied the template and treated their wives as pieces of furniture that can be easily discarded as trash. And in many instances the subjugation was garnished with beatings while the community looked the other way and remained unperturbed as gender based violence reigned supreme nationwide.
“In civilised climes, if you beat your wife, jail awaits you even if you are a Governor. They marvel that a Nigerian man can love his wife. To them na only Oyibo man dey love.
“They are infuriated that a Yoruba man can love his wife who is Igbo. How can? Igbo lasan, lasan! To them na only Oyibo man dey love.
“Na love at first sight brought us together, biko. No be juju! Na love make me cross the Niger. That love at first sight turned out to be true and pure.
“And you were proud to say it. You were proud to show it. You were even prouder to tell the people of Ondo State and beyond that we were a team. You were audacious to tell your people that ‘you voted for one but got two’.
“A testimony of my positive contribution to your life and career, emotionally and intellectually.”
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Akeredolu and wife met during the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Enugu State.
When the late governor was sick, some people accused Anyanwu-Akeredolu of taking control of the state and preventing her husband from handing over power to his deputy governor now governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, while being treated in Germany for prostate cancer.
Dignitaries at the funeral included Vice President Kashim Shettima, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), George Akume; national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje; state governors; politicians; family members; friends, and lawyers, as well as residents of Ondo.
