Doyin Odebowale, who served as the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy to the late Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, conveyed his observation that the former governor was a weakling in matters involving his wife, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu.
In an interview on Saturday with media personality Segun Olawoye, Odebowale, who claimed a friendship of over 30 years with the former governor and underscored his role in composing campaign materials for the governor’s first unsuccessful bid in 2012, disclosed this information.
Odebowale asserted that he played the decisive role in persuading Akeredolu to run for governor in 2011, overcoming resistance from friends who considered the former governor irascible.
Managing cultural distinctions, the aide to the late governor disclosed that he confronted Anyanwu-Akeredolu when she threatened Olubunmi Ademosu, the special adviser to the late governor.
He made it clear that he was not pleased with her being recorded, accusing her husband’s special adviser on public and inter-governmental relations of giving him concoctions for his health.
Recall that the First Lady had accused Ms Ademosu of an ambition to become deputy governor should the governor become incapable of completing his tenure.
Odebowale further said, ‘You may blame this woman for indiscretion. Marriage is a scam. I hate co-habitation. I respect my wife, but she cannot tell me not to relate with people.’
‘On his wife’s management, Aketi was a weakling.’
‘She was acting like she had more stake in Aketi’s family than anybody. What point was she proving? I knew Aketi was not sleeping with anybody.’
‘No office as the office of the First Lady. Aketi shouldn’t have allowed it.’
Read also: Pick Owo Deputy To Offset Akeredolu’s Death – Aiyedatiwa Told
Dismissing the rumour that the announcement of Aketi’s death was delayed, the former aide said he was only aware of Akeredolu’s death when his phone was spammed with calls for confirmation, adding, ‘I had to ring his immediate younger brother, Prof Wole Akeredolu who lectures in LASU. I asked if he had heard of Emperor (that is what we call him in a close circle). He said he still spoke with him on Christmas Day, making him the last person who spoke with him before his death.’
He reiterated that his four children had no prior awareness of his death until the news was officially announced.
While setting the record straight and addressing speculations about hiding information post-Akeredolu’s passing, Odebowale rejected claims of financial mismanagement. He explained that his swift resignation was motivated by his deep affection and loyalty to his late boss, and he clarified that there was no position for him in the new administration under Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa.
‘I have nothing against whosoever is in office now. I have nothing left to do in the office when the person who brought me there is no longer there. I can’t remain in that space and pretend.’
‘I can’t be as committed as I was with Akeredolu because I got all his support. It was not politicking. He gave me the wings to fly. He was my brother like a family,’ he added.
Following Akeredolu’s demise in Germany on Wednesday, Odebowale, accompanied by the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Aminu Raimi, and the Special Assistant on Photography to the former governor, Olawale Abolade, tendered their resignations.