The family of late Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has condemned the naming of the new High Court complex in his honour.
While the family acknowledged that the project was dear to Akeredolu, they argued that naming an incomplete project after someone is “premature and insincere.”
This was stated in a press release issued on Monday and signed on behalf of the family by Babajide Akeredolu.
“We acknowledge and commend Governor Aiyedatiwa for performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed judicial complex, a project initiated by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a passionate advocate for the judiciary, this project was close to his heart.
“However, the current politics surrounding the project are glaring. Naming a project after someone before its completion is both premature and insincere. True immortality lies in completing the project and ensuring its functionality. If the governor is genuinely committed to honouring Arakunrin Akeredolu’s legacy, he must demonstrate this through actions, not empty gestures,” the statement read partly.
On December 27, 2024, Aiyedatiwa mentioned that it was his late principal’s desire to “provide a state-of-the-art high court complex to enhance the workload and welfare of our judiciary.”
“Naming this project the Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu Judiciary Complex is a fitting way to immortalise his legacy.”
However, Betty, the late governor’s widow, rejected the planned memorial lecture in Akeredolu’s honour, as organised by the state government.
“Which legacy? Lecture, my foot! This is not for Aketi because my family and I are not aware. Damn it! As the saying goes: You and your co-travellers cannot shave Aketi’s head in his absence. You cannot weep more than the bereaved.
“This is insidious propaganda carried too far! Lucky, you are preoccupied with rubbishing Aketi’s legacy; you can’t succeed anyway,” she lamented, among other remarks.
To back up Betty’s claim, the late governor’s family emphasised the importance of resolving the controversies surrounding Akeredolu’s memorial, particularly the lecture series sponsored by Aiyedatiwa that coincided with the family’s event in Owo.
The statement mentioned that the governor was kept informed of the family’s intention to honour Akeredolu but was “both shocked and deeply disappointed” to learn about the state-organised event through social media, just three days before it was held.
“Even more disappointing was that no member of the Akeredolu family was invited to this event,” it said.
The statement partly read, “It is important to state unequivocally that Governor Aiyedatiwa was aware of the Akeredolu family’s plans for the remembrance.
“My uncle and head of the Akeredolu family, Prof. Wole Akeredolu, personally informed the governor at his monthly praise night in November at the Dome in Akure. The governor acknowledged this and affirmed that the state government would be a part of the event.”
“This lack of courtesy and respect is unheard of and unbecoming, especially for an event meant to honour the memory of a former governor and patriarch.
“While we recognise that the state government has the prerogative to organise such events, basic decency and protocol demand that the family of the deceased be informed and included.
“This glaring oversight leads one to question whether it was intentional mischief or based on erroneous advice from the governor’s aides.”
However, to honour his predecessor, the family called on Aiyedatiwa to, “Upgrade the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic to a university. All preliminary studies and recommendations for this upgrade were completed during Akeredolu’s administration. The governor should expedite this process to fulfil his predecessor’s vision.”
“Complete the first flyover in Akure, the state capital,” adding that “the flyover at Onyearugbulem Junction, a turnkey project meant to be completed within 18 months, is crawling at a snail’s pace. Its completion would be a fitting honour to Akeredolu’s commitment to infrastructure development.”
Akeredolu’s family also encouraged the governor to address abandoned road projects, assist government servants by resolving salary disparities, resolve the issue of unpaid deductions, and address the shortage of financing for ministries and parastatals, among other things.
The family stated that Akeredolu’s love for Ondo State and its people “must not be diminished by retrogressive policies or political gimmicks,” adding that the governor “must halt the vindictive and divisive acts of punishing or ostracising anyone associated with Arakunrin Akeredolu.
“To the people of Ondo State, we remain forever thankful for your love and support. We assure you that we will continue to uphold the legacy of our late patriarch, speak truth to power, and hold leaders accountable.”
