The Ondo State Government’s decision to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has sparked widespread controversy and condemnation from prominent figures in the state.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), recently revealed that the Ministry of Justice had received multiple petitions from concerned individuals and groups both within and outside the state calling for a coroner’s inquest into Akeredolu’s death.
Ajulo stated that the petitioners, whose identities were not disclosed, had alleged that the former governor’s widow, Betty Akeredolu, and others may have been complicit in his demise. Akeredolu passed away in December 2023 after a reported battle with prostate cancer.
However, the government’s move to consider an inquest has drawn sharp criticism. Former Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, described the decision particularly the possibility of exhuming Akeredolu’s body as “unthinkable.” He urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to abandon the plan in the interest of peace and unity in the state.
“This could be a dangerous trap that might damage the governor’s administration,” Adegoroye warned. “While the government has a duty to act on petitions, it must exercise wisdom and avoid decisions that may stir unrest.”
Echoing this sentiment, former Head of Service in the state, Ajose Kudehinbu, questioned the motive behind the proposed coroner’s inquest, noting that there had been no previous public doubts about the cause of Akeredolu’s death.
“The governor holds executive power and must answer to history for both good and bad decisions,” Kudehinbu said. “This plan, if true, shows a disregard for the peace and stability of the state.”
Legal practitioner, Sola Ajisafe, also voiced opposition to the move, calling it unnecessary and potentially divisive. According to him, the inquest appears politically motivated and could deepen tensions, particularly in Akeredolu’s hometown of Owo.
“It’s an assault on the memory of the late governor,” Ajisafe said. “Owo has its own complexities, and the government must be cautious not to inflame existing sensitivities. The Attorney-General’s reference to the demolition of the Owo cenotaph by Akeredolu’s widow betrays a deeper, perhaps political, motive.”
As public backlash grows, critics continue to urge the Aiyedatiwa-led administration to prioritize stability and avoid actions that could escalate political or communal tensions in the state.
