Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, widow of the former governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu, is not married to her brother-in-law Prof Wole Akeredolu, the family has said.
A statement signed by the publisher/editor-in-chief of National Newsbreak Newspaper Gele Agbai and shared on X on Saturday by Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu said bloggers misreported a story about rites carried out at Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s hometown in Imo State after Akeredolu’s burial.
Explaining what transpired at Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s hometown, the statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to the twist being given to our story entitled; ‘Aketi Eternal: Emeabiam Community Performs Mgbafu Mgbe Rite For Widow’.
“For the benefit of those who are not familiar with the story, Aketi is the nickname of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, the former Governor of Ondo State who passed away in December 2023.
“He was married to the former First Lady of Ondo State, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ada Owere 1.
“According to the tradition of the Igbo especially the people of Imo State, Mgbafu Mkpe ceremony must be held after the death and burial of the husband of their daughter.
Akeredolu’s widow attacks husband’s niece for supporting Aiyedatiwa
“The Mgbafu Mkpe ceremony of Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu was held on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at the serene Emeabiam Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
“The ceremony held at her ancestral compound in Umuikea Emeabiam Community. During the ceremony, Mr. Herbert Igbo representing the Umuegeolu Kindred handed over the former first lady to the immediate younger brother to her late husband, Prof Wole Akeredolu as tradition stipulates.
“This was after the Akeredolus had indicated interest to have Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu still live with them. Some rituals were carried out to seal the handover.
“It is therefore to our utter surprise to read posts made by bloggers, many of whom depended on our story, claiming that Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu is now married to Prof Akeredolu as his wife.
“This is totally false and a clear misrepresentation of what actually transpired during the ceremony.”
The statement said the report did not suggest that Prof Akeredolu married Anyanwu-Akeredolu at the ceremony or afterwards.
