‘This year was not without storm’ – Akeredolu’s widow speaks on betrayal, resilience

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, widow of the late Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has expressed deep disappointment over the demolition of a memorial monument erected in honour of victims of the 2022 St. Francis Catholic Church massacre in Owo.

In a reflective statement titled “Beyond Widowhood: Thriving @72” posted on her verified Facebook page to mark her 72nd birthday, Mrs. Akeredolu described the demolition as a painful betrayal by the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, under whose watch the incident occurred.

She noted that the monument, beyond its physical structure, symbolized grief, remembrance, and her late husband’s unwavering stance on justice and the sanctity of life. “The monument was not just concrete and marble; it was a symbol of memory and a testament to my late husband’s legacy,” she stated.

The former First Lady lamented that her public condemnation of the act was met with backlash and verbal attacks from government loyalists. She further alleged that traditional leaders in Owo subjected her to a public ritual curse, an act she described as barbaric and disgraceful.

“To be cursed publicly as a widow and a mother of their own, with the complicity of the traditional institution, was a moment of shame — not just for Owo but for the entire state,” she said.

While decrying the silence of many in the face of the incident, Mrs. Akeredolu asserted that history would not overlook the events. “If Ondo people chose to stay silent, history did not. The world watched,” she declared.

Despite the challenges, the former First Lady reflected on her journey of resilience, having survived breast cancer for 28 years and endured public grief and vilification. She described herself as a symbol of strength and perseverance.

“Today, I do not just celebrate another year of life, but the triumph of resilience. At 72, I remain strong, healthy, and purposeful. I am not merely living — I am thriving,” she concluded.