Widow and Niece of Late Governor Akeredolu Clash Over Aiyedatiwa’s Ambition

• Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu criticizes niece Funke Akeredolu-Aruna for supporting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s gubernatorial ambition, calling her a “bloody serpent”
• Akeredolu-Aruna defends her support for Aiyedatiwa, citing her belief in his cause and emphasizing the late governor’s close relationship with him

Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the widow of the late former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has engaged in a verbal altercation with her late husband’s niece, Funke Akeredolu-Aruna, over her support for the gubernatorial ambition of the incumbent governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Mrs. Akeredolu-Aruna, who previously served as the Deputy Chief of Protocol in the administration of the late Governor Akeredolu, was criticized by Mrs. Anyanwu-Akeredolu for endorsing the aspirations of Governor Aiyedatiwa.

In a social media post on Monday, Akeredolu’s widow referred to her late husband’s niece as a “bloody serpent” for supporting the incumbent governor, seeking the governorship ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress for the November 16 poll.

“Behold the face of Aketi’s niece, Funke Akeredolu Aruna, the former deputy chief protocol to Aketi, shamelessly parades as ‘I am lucky’ Bloody serpent! Time will tell if she is truly lucky!” Mrs. Anyanwu-Akeredolu wrote on social media.

Mrs. Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s criticism stemmed from a social media post where Mrs. Akeredolu-Aruna shared her photo wearing an outfit and face cap to support Governor Aiyedatiwa.

The outburst by the governor’s widow has sparked outrage on social media, with critics expressing disapproval of Mrs. Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s engagement in petty quarrels instead of mourning her late husband.

However, in response, Mrs. Akeredolu-Aruna defended her support for Governor Aiyedatiwa, stating that she refused to join critics in chastising the incumbent governor over his political aspirations.

“Mummy (Akeredolu’s widow) is attacking me because she has her reasons and does not support the incumbent governor. I happened to be caught up in the situation due to my past role as the deputy chief of protocol in the last administration,” she explained.

Mrs. Akeredolu-Aruna emphasized the close relationship between the late governor and Governor Aiyedatiwa, stating that the late governor treated the incumbent like a brother.

“I will not withdraw my support for Governor Aiyedatiwa. I cannot abandon him when I believe in his cause,” she asserted.

The rift between the late governor’s wife and Mr. Aiyedatiwa has been ongoing since the late governor’s illness.