December 08, (THEWILL) – It looks like the family of the late governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu and the incumbent, Lucky Aiyedatiwa are on the verge of towing the path of reconciliation judging by the recent camaraderie between both parties.
Aiyedatiwa and Professor Oluwole Akeredolu who has now assumed the head of the Akeredolu clan, following the passing of his older brother in December 2023, were recently pictured together having a warm handshake at the latest edition of the monthly ‘Praise Night with Mr Governor’.
This is the first of such encounters in the months leading up to late governor’s absence while he was being treated for cancer in Europe, all through the tussle period leading to the emergence of Aiyedatiwa as governor.
The development is a rare occurrence, especially against the backdrop of recent happenings in Ondo State politics, sparking narratives of ongoing fence-mending. Recall that the governor was at odds with hardcore loyalists of his predecessor since his time as deputy governor, including the former first lady of the state, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu.
All through his ascension to the position of acting governor while Akeredolu was undergoing treatment up until his victory in the November 16 gubernatorial election, he remained at loggerheads with the late governor’s political structure and family members, especially those sympathetic to Akeredolu’s widow.
The face-off was so intense that Aiyedatiwa’s attempts to secure validation using Akeredolu’s name and goodwill were severely rebuffed. But all that is now in the past, Aiyedatiwa is now in charge and things, including the Akeredolu family are all now falling in line with him. Hopefully this is sustained.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
