Turmoil Over Akeredolu’s Burial Plans: Ondo State Fixates on February 23-24 Dates

The Ondo State Government has announced February 23 and 24 as the dates for the burial of the late former governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu. This was contained in a Facebook post by the former Chief Press Secretary to the late governor, Mr Richard Olatunde. Akeredolu passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, in Germany, during a protracted illness. He was aged 67.

However, the burial planning committee faced turmoil during a state cabinet meeting, leading to disputes over the exclusion of certain names. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who also chairs the committee, made the announcement on Monday following the meeting. However, the exclusion of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Princess Oladunni Odu, from the committee triggered discontent.

Sources revealed that during a meeting with the governor at his office, SSG Odu expressed her displeasure at not being included in the committee. The situation escalated into a heated argument, and Odu confronted the governor, expressing her concerns vehemently. Other cabinet members intervened to pacify the situation, which reportedly did not end peacefully.

One source mentioned, “It became a whole lot of argument and charged at the governor for not including her on the list of the committee. But it took the intervention of other cabinet members at the meeting to calm the nerves of the woman.”

Adding to the complexity, another source disclosed that Odu has ambitions for the governorship seat and is gearing up to contest in the governorship race.

The body of the late former Governor Akeredolu arrived in Nigeria from Germany on January 5, 2024. The plane carrying his remains landed at about 3:39 p.m., where it was received by his wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, children, and siblings, including Prof. Wole Akeredolu, the immediate younger brother.

Governors from the six states of the Southwest region, under the aegis of the South-West Governors Forum, expressed their readiness to collaborate with Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Akeredolu family for a befitting burial. Governor Dapo Abiodun, who led three other South-West governors on a condolence visit, conveyed that a joint committee would be established to facilitate the process. Governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Oyo State Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal were also present during the condolence visit. The Forum communicated its intentions to the late governor’s family.

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