Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has replied his predecessor’s widow Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu who claimed that the memorial lecture being organised by the state in her husband’s honour was a scam.
Former governor Rotimi Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, following a protracted illness.
While Akeredolu’s family plans to hold an event in Owo, Akeredolu’s hometown, to mark the first anniversary of his death, the state government intends to hold a public lecture on the same day, but in Akure, the capital.
Mrs Akeredolu has since distanced herself from the lecture set to hold on December 27 by the Ondo State Government.
She chided Aiyedatiwa for allegedly organising a memorial lecture for her husband without informing his family.
Reacting to the allegations through a statement issued on Thursday by his chief press secretary Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa explained that the planned lecture is an exclusive event of the state government.
He further clarified that he extended invitation to Akeredolu’s family.
“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,” the statement read.
