Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the wife of former Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, revealed that individuals who assaulted their wives ridiculed her late husband for his affectionate nature.
Mrs. Akeredolu expressed this in a poignant tribute penned during her late husband’s funeral at Saint Andrews Church, Imola, Owo.
In her words:
“In civilised climes, if you beat your wife, jail awaits you even if you are a governor,” stated Mrs Akeredolu. “They marvel that a Nigerian man can love his wife. To them na only Oyibo (white) man dey love.”
Mrs. Akeredolu endured challenging times from political supporters and aides of her late husband, as she consistently utilized her social media platforms to indirectly address and criticize her critics during the period when her husband was unwell. This underscores the complexities and strains often faced by public figures and their families in navigating the realm of politics, even during times of personal hardship.
Eulogising her late husband, Mrs Akeredolu lamented that he left her “alone to face all manners of mockery.”
“You just left me, just like that. It hurts badly; it hurts. Now alone to face all manners of mockery. Not a few lashed out that you were a weakling because you loved me.
“I don’t think so. In their homes, while growing up, they saw their mothers trampled upon as doormats, beaten up like punch bags.
“They copied the template and treated their wives as pieces of furniture that can be easily discarded as trash. And in many instances, the subjugation was garnished with beatings while the community looked the other way and remained unperturbed as gender-based violence reigned supreme nationwide,” she said.
She also described the former Ondo governor as a lovely, passionate and caring man, saying, “Na love at first sight brought us together, biko. No be juju! Na love, make me cross the Niger.
“That love at first sight turned out to be true and pure. And you were proud to say it. You were proud to show it
“You were even prouder to tell the people of Ondo State, and beyond that, we were a team. You were audacious to tell your people that ‘you voted for one but got two’. A testimony of my positive contribution to your life and career, emotionally and intellectually.”
Mrs Akeredolu noted that her husband was never a weakling, while pointing out that he respected and gave her honour despite being the state governor.
