THE BASTARDIZATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY IN ONDO, (OPINION) BY OLABODE AKINWALE 

By Comrade Olabode Akinwale

The word bastardization or bastardize according to the Oxford dictionary is to “change (something) in such a way as to lower it’s quality or value, typically by adding new elements.”

In Ondo State, the hitherto referred and venerated office of the wife of the state governor or office of the first lady experienced an unprecedented debasement, degradation and vitilation during the rein of Betty Akeredolu, the wife of late Arakunrin Odunayo Akeredolu for close to seven years.

During her despotic rein, Betty trampled on the rights, privileges, opinions and feelings of others in Ondo State.

She deliberately delayed payment of salaries to those assigned to her office, aside the case of 20% deductions from the same salaries as compulsory contribution in support of her voodoo Breast Cancer Awareness Network (BRECAN).

Throughout her tenure, BRECAN did not financially assist any Ondo State woman to solve any breast cancer related case. You can fact check me.

I have taken my time to peruse all the relevant aspects of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (As Amended) but I cannot locate the line that supports the creation or floating of the office of the first lady either for the president or state governors!

Furthermore, anyone interested can check the annual budgets of all the states of the federation to find out if there is any budgetary provision or allocation to that office.

The Implication therefore is that, that office and the occupant exist at the mercy of Mr Governor and the magnanimity of the people of the state!

Consequently, any first lady ought to comport herself while in or out of office, knowing fully well that she is neither elected nor appointed.

When a first lady gets involved in contract, appointment and employment racketeering like Betty did throughout her unfortunate sojourn at the Government House, Alagbaka it is nothing but abuse of office.

During the months Aketi was bed ridden, his wife was too preoccupied with politics and other inanities such that she spent more time in her native Imo East Senatorial District in Imo State campaigning and wasting Ondo State’s money on her senatorial ambition than the time she spent beside her dying husband.

It was because she never cared what happens to late Aketi as far as her “feeding bottle” is filled with “milk” that made others who were more sympathetic to the debilitating health condition Aketi was in to almost “snatch” him away from her just to safe his life.

Little wonder that Betty was not with her husband when he breath his last. Aketi’s last words on earth were for the ears of total strangers. An abomination!

A first lady just like the state governor must be excellent in all ramifications. Morals and characters inclusive. Anything short of that is calamitous.

But in all sincerity, did Betty really carried herself with dignity like an excellent woman?

Did she not make a nonsense of that office of the first lady?

Even after she packed out of the government house, has she not continued to behave like the greedy, jealous and vengeful Shylock character in The Merchant of Venice’s Shakespeare book?

Betty’s bastardization of the office of the first lady almost worked against the ambition of some gubernatorial aspirants in 2024 whose spouses are from the same part of the country that Betty comes from.

Many prospective voters in Ondo State in 2024 said “Never Again.” Why? Because they were horrified by the strange and negative commanding influence Betty had on her husband which almost made her the de facto and the de jure governor of the state!

Recently, Betty has the flagrant boldness or temerity to share some private social media conversations she had sometimes ago with Mrs Omowunmi Isaac, the Honourable Commissioner for Finance.

The chats centered on many personal issues including the activities of Betty as first lady.

Mrs Isaac’s responses were borne out of the subject matter of discussion which also includes the sudden death of Aketi.

Mrs Isaac never mince words in telling the truth to the former first lady.

Betty was told in plain language how her carelessness and greediness contributed in no small measure to the untimely death of Aketi.

Mrs Omowunmi Isaac in the light of the above made Betty to understand that by the way she conducted herself as first lady, that the office has been bastardized and many Ondo State citizens are no longer excited about that office or the occupant again.

Betty is just been truthful by half. I have seen a more detailed publication of the whole conversation before now and cropping just a part of it for the purpose of this present mischief is usual of her character.

The main reason why Betty released the cropped version of the conversations she had with Mrs Isaac to the public now is to see how she can create disharmony in the state, pitch the immaculate and elegant wife of Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa against the husband and the Commissioner for Finance and thereby achieving her carefully thought out diabolic agenda of making the state ungovernable under “that boy Lucky.”

Betty Akeredolu still erroneously thinks she is relevant in the politics and governance of Ondo State.

But the truth is that, the newly elected governor of the state that will be sworn in on the 24th of February, 2025 cannot be easily distracted by the antics of losers like Betty and her gangs. At the appropriate time, she will be put where she belongs, which is the dustbin of history.

By Comrade Olabode Akinwaler

Wites from Akure, Ondo State.