Governor Sanwo-Olu singlehandedly brought Akeredolu’s corpse from Germany – Betty
Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has disclosed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State “singlehandedly brought back” the corpse of her husband from Germany.
Akeredolu, aged 67, died in Germany on December 26, 2023 after a prolonged illness and buried in Owo, his country home, on February 23, 2024.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday visited the family of the late Akeredolu in Owo .
Tinubu, accompanied by Chief Bisi Akande and Chief Pius Akinyelure, was received by the widow of the late Governor, Betty.
The President, who had a closed-door meeting with Mrs Akeredolu, also visited where the late Governor was laid to rest.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Chief Olayide Adelami, were also at the Akeredolu’s residence.
Speaking shortly after the visit, Mrs. Akeredolu appreciated the President for the condolence visit.
She said, “As you are aware, the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, paid his condolence visit to my family. Present at the visit are my children and extended family members.
“On behalf of my family, I appreciate Mr. President. We understood he couldn’t attend the burial ceremony due to the dictate of Yoruba culture. He couldn’t have attended the burial of his younger brother.
“Coming today is a big deal because we are in a better atmosphere. I also express my profound gratitude to the Southern Governors for their immense financial contributions to the burial.
“Most especially, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who singlehandedly brought Aketi’s remains back to Nigeria. We appreciate this huge show of love and we are grateful and forever indebted to him.
“I requested that Mr. President see where Aketi has been laid to rest and he followed me. We are deeply grateful to Mr. President for coming. He’s indeed, Aketi’s brother and friend.
“I told Mr. President, yes, Aketi has left but he lives because he left behind legacies. It is our wish that those legacies continue and are built upon where necessary.”
Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s statement underscores the conspicuous absence of all the South-West governors from the Wednesday, February 21, lying-in-state programme organised by the Ondo state government for the late governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Akeredolu was the Chairman of South-West governors forum until his death.
Competent source told Thefrontrank that the president shun all entries and lobby by Aiyedatiwa to host him at the Government House, Alagbaka, during the visit.