‘Nigeria Is A Zoo Country,’ Says Former Ondo First Lady, Betty Akeredolu
In September 2023, the politician returned to Nigeria after a three-month medical leave in Germany but instead of going to Ondo State, he stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital
Betty on Wednesday said this while drawing parallels between the country’s presidential election and that of the United States via her X account.
“Moral: When dishonesty is prioritized, simple things become difficult.”
However, one of her followers, Paulexy, @paul_ozah commented on the post saying, “Truth is indeed bitter. I can understand the attacks on her. We are doomed in this country Nigeria.”
Replying to Paulexy’s comment, Mrs Akeredou said, “Very bitter indeed! Who will rescue Nigeria? What a zoo country!”
Betty’s husband, Rotimi Akeredolu, died on December 27, 2023.
After his death, Doyin Odebowale, the former Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy to the late Ondo State governor said he was weak when it came to matters involving his wife.
“On his wife’s management, Aketi was a weakling,” he had said.
Betty’s late husband, Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), died after months of protracted ailment, which was covered up by the family.
This followed his re-election as the state governor in October 2020 and inauguration for a second term in office in February 2021.
However, during his second term in office, Akeredolu had to be flown abroad for treatment for medical attention.
In September 2023, the politician returned to Nigeria after a three-month medical leave in Germany but instead of going to Ondo State, he stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
It was after his death that his family disclosed that he was suffering from prostate cancer.
Meanwhile, Betty and other family members kept his health status hush-hush to maintain their grip on the affairs of the state.
In November 2021, Akeredolu appointed his son, Babajide as the Director General of the Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit, Office of the Governor of Ondo State (PPIMU), courting controversy.
Despite being under pressure from opposition parties to resign, Akeredolu refused to resign or hand over power to his deputy (now governor – Luck Aiyedatiwa) in line with the 1999 constitution. His aides also defended his action or inaction, saying he could govern the state from anywhere. SaharaReporters exclusively reported how a forensic report by the Association of Forensic Professionals of Nigeria (AFPON) confirmed that the ailing governor’s signature was forged on an official document.