The family of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has strongly criticised the actions of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, accusing him of dishonouring their patriarch and undermining his legacy since assuming office. The family’s statement, delivered by Babajide Akeredolu, the late governor’s son, came in response to Aiyedatiwa’s recent attempts to memorialise the late leader. These included the naming of an incomplete judicial complex after Akeredolu and a memorial lecture held in his honor.
‘Premature Memorials and Insubordination’
Babajide, who was also the head of the Project Performance and Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU) in the state, lambasted Aiyedatiwa’s decisions, calling them insincere. According to the family, Aiyedatiwa’s efforts to name an unfinished project after Akeredolu was both untimely and disrespectful. Babajide claimed that the true honor would lie in the completion of the judicial complex, a project that was close to Akeredolu’s heart due to his long-standing passion for the judiciary as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
“This attempt to immortalize Arakunrin Akeredolu while the project remains incomplete is not only premature but a feeble attempt at recognition,” Babajide stated. “Immortalization comes with the completion and functioning of these important legacies. If Aiyedatiwa truly intends to honor my father, it must be through his actions, not empty gestures.”
While the state government arranged the memorial lecture in Owo, Akeredolu’s hometown, the family took issue with what they called Aiyedatiwa’s failure to directly involve them in the event’s organization. The Akeredolu family had notified the governor about the anniversary, which was overshadowed by the timing of the state-organized Leadership Lecture Series in Akure.
Babajide pointed out that while acknowledging the government’s role, it was crucial for the family to be informed and properly involved, given their direct relationship with the late governor. “A significant oversight such as this raises concerns about whether it was intentional or simply misguided advice,” he said.
‘Politicking with Akeredolu’s Name’
At the heart of the family’s accusations was what they saw as Aiyedatiwa’s attempt to exploit Akeredolu’s name for political gains, rather than focusing on meaningful legacy preservation. According to Babajide, projects originally launched by Akeredolu had stalled under Aiyedatiwa’s administration, leaving essential developments unfinished. He urged Aiyedatiwa to complete those initiatives before any further commemoration events took place.
The younger Akeredolu’s appeal included a call for the governor to end his “vindictive” actions against those loyal to his late father. He argued that honoring Akeredolu’s memory required genuine respect for the policies his father had introduced and not just ceremonial events.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa must stop any behavior that seeks to ostracize or punish anyone connected with my father’s legacy,” Babajide asserted. “True loyalty doesn’t involve disregarding a predecessor’s vision and alienating his family.”
Babajide’s remarks have sparked a wider conversation on the political relationship between the two men. Tensions have been visible in recent months, particularly due to the public discord between the governor and the late governor’s widow, who has been openly critical of Aiyedatiwa’s leadership since he assumed office.
Aiyedatiwa’s Response and Governmental Defense
The allegations were quickly addressed by an anonymous government official, who dismissed Babajide’s claims and defended Aiyedatiwa’s actions. According to the source, the government had acted appropriately in relation to both the events in Owo and the ongoing memorial lecture in Akure.
In addressing Babajide’s harsh tone, the official also reminded him of his family’s history of public confrontation with Aiyedatiwa. He pointed out that Babajide and his mother, the former First Lady, had reportedly disrespected the governor in past public appearances, leading to questions about the motivations behind Babajide’s public statements.
Moreover, the official highlighted that it was not Babajide’s place to dictate government policy or the execution of its projects. “Babajide was given an office under his father’s administration that no longer exists,” the official remarked. “His role was entirely based on his father’s position and does not provide him the authority to direct government actions in this administration.”
Political Storm and Further Speculations
As tensions mount between the two factions, political observers believe that the drama surrounding Akeredolu’s memorialization may reflect deeper political rivalries. Since Aiyedatiwa assumed the governorship position after Akeredolu’s passing, questions have lingered about how both men’s legacies would intersect, particularly regarding governance, projects, and political loyalties.
The handling of the judicial complex—designed to honor the late governor’s devotion to the legal profession—has further fueled speculation about the state’s commitment to completing key infrastructure under the current leadership. Akeredolu’s son’s call for greater attention to unfinished projects resonates with long-time critics who argue that many of the ambitious initiatives launched under the late governor’s tenure remain incomplete.
“This isn’t just about a lecture or the name of a building,” Babajide emphasized. “This is about maintaining the integrity of governance. My father’s projects were meant to help the people, and those should be the governor’s top priority, not mere symbolic gestures.”
