In a blunt statement that has sparked wide reactions, Betty Akeredolu, the former First Lady of Ondo State, has referred to Nigeria as a “zoo country” in a social media post.
Betty Akeredolu, who was married to the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, expressed her frustration with Nigeria’s electoral process, contrasting it with the recent U.S. presidential election.
Drawing a comparison between the two nations, she said, “2023 Nigerian Presidential Election Total Votes Cast: 25 million. Counting Duration: 5 days. 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Total Votes Cast: 155 million. Counting Duration: Approx. 10 hours.”
She added, “Moral: When dishonesty is prioritized, simple things become difficult.”
One of her followers, Paulexy, responded by commenting, “Truth is indeed bitter. I can understand the attacks on her. We are doomed in this country Nigeria.”
In a response that has stirred even more controversy, Betty replied, “Very bitter indeed! Who will rescue Nigeria? What a zoo country!”
Her words come almost a year after the death of her husband, former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who passed away on December 27, 2023, after a long battle with prostate cancer.
Akeredolu, a prominent figure in Nigerian law as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), was known for his bold, sometimes divisive, political style.
His health struggles were widely speculated on but rarely confirmed publicly until after his passing.
During his second term as governor, Akeredolu faced significant pressure over his refusal to transfer power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, while he sought medical treatment abroad.
In September 2023, Akeredolu returned to Nigeria after a three-month medical leave in Germany, but instead of resuming in Ondo State, he stayed in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
This decision, coupled with his refusal to fully delegate authority to his deputy, fueled controversy.
Akeredolu’s family was later criticized for not being transparent about his health, as his ailment and condition were closely guarded secrets.
Many in Ondo State and beyond were unaware that Akeredolu was battling prostate cancer until after his death, a fact that has fueled ongoing debates about transparency in government.
Former aides to the late governor have since come forward with various revelations about Akeredolu’s time in office and his relationship with his family.
Doyin Odebowale, Akeredolu’s former Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy, described the former governor as “a weakling” in matters concerning his wife, implying she had considerable influence over his decisions.
This comment has sparked further discussions about the late governor’s management of both his office and family.
During his tenure, Akeredolu made headlines for appointing his son, Babajide Akeredolu, as Director-General of the Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU) in Ondo State.
The decision was widely criticized, with opposition parties calling it nepotism and urging Akeredolu to resign.
Despite mounting pressure, Akeredolu continued to serve as governor and defended his choice, with his aides arguing that he could govern the state “from anywhere.”
