The family of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has taken a swipe at Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for allegedly dishonouring their patriarch since his demise one year ago.

While describing as insincere the recent actions of Aiyedatiwa of immortalising Akeredolu with the naming of a yet-to-be-completed judicial complex after him and the memorial lecture in his honour, the family stated that the ex-governor deserved better from his successor.

According to the family in a statement issued by Babajide Akeredolu, the son of the late former governor, the lack of

courtesy and respect on the part of Aiyedatiwa towards his late boss and the family were unbecoming,

Babajide, who was the head of the Project Performance and Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU) in the state, emphasised that the projects initiated by the ex-governor for the people had been stopped by Aiyedatiwa, with advice that if the governor is sincere in sustaining the legacies of his erstwhile wife, all the projects should be completed.

The family also reiterated that the state government led by Aiyedatiwa failed to involve the family in the memorial lecture despite the family informing the governor of the remembrance in Owo, the hometown of Akeredolu, which he failed to attend personally.

He said, “The Leadership Lecture Series organised by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, coinciding with our family’s remembrance event in Owo, deserves clarification and context.

“While we recognise that the state government has the prerogative to organise such events, basic decency and protocol demand that the family of the deceased be informed and included. This glaring oversight leads one to question if it was intentional mischief or based on erroneous advice from the governor’s aides.

“We acknowledge and commend Governor Aiyedatiwa for performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed Judicial Complex, a project initiated by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a passionate advocate for the judiciary, this project was dear to his heart.

“However, the current politics surrounding the project are glaring. Naming a project after someone before its completion is both premature and insincere. True immortality lies in completing the project and ensuring its functionality. If the governor is genuinely committed to honouring Arakunrin Akeredolu’s legacy, he must demonstrate this through actions, not empty gestures.

“As a former head of the Project Performance and Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU), I am well informed and involved to advise Governor Aiyedatiwa if he truly wishes to immortalise Arakunrin Akeredolu. As a matter of urgency, Mr. Governor should prioritise the completion of key projects initiated by our late patriarch.”

Babajide stressed that “Governor Aiyedatiwa must halt the vindictive and divisive acts of punishing or ostracising anyone associated with Arakunrin Akeredolu.

“True loyalty and respect for the late governor cannot coexist with disdain for his policies, family, or vision. It is hypocritical and unbecoming of leadership that claims to want to honour the legacy of its predecessor every time the opportunity presents itself.

“Lead boldly, stand up for the people, and prosecute your convictions with courage. Politics and governance are mutually exclusive, and an everlasting legacy is hinged on effective governance. The place of governance must not be desecrated with the murky water of politics. Leadership demands strength, not a lily-livered approach. Only then will you truly earn the respect and admiration of the people.”

Meanwhile, a government official who craved anonymity stated that Babajide cannot dictate to the Ondo State Government how it would honour a former governor, stating that Akeredolu was more than a family man but an elected leader of the state.

“The state government played its role in the events organised in Owo by the family, where the deputy governor represented the governor. The preparation for the lecture event in Akure had commenced before the invitation for the Owo events was delivered to the state government.

“The condescending tone of Babajide in his statement over the unavailability of the Governor at the family events shows his lack of respect for the office of the Governor. Is Babajide unaware of the public attacks and unrestrained abuse that his mother, former First Lady, has leveled at the governor since he assumed office? Is Babajide also unaware of how his mother had embarrassed the governor and deputy governor by ignoring their pleasantries at public events?

“That Babajide was privileged to hold a non-existent political office under the administration of his father does not confer on him the right to dictate how government projects and policies are handled by Governor Aiyedatiwa.

“Babajide should return all government properties he took away before arrogantly making statements on how to run the government.”