Politics
Late Akeredolu’s Family Rumbles Over Aiyedatiwa’s Guber Ambition
Wife of the late Governor of Ondo State, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has tackled her late husband’s niece, Mrs Funke Akeredolu-Aruna, for supporting the governorship aspiration of incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The Tide’s source reports that Mrs Akeredolu-Aruna who served as former Deputy Chief of Protocol in the administration of late Governor Akeredolu had thrown her weight behind Governor Ayedatiwa.
In a social media post on Monday, late Governor Akeredolu’s widow described her husband’s niece as a ‘bloody serpent’ for supporting the incumbent governor who is eyeing the governorship ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 16 poll.
“Behold the face of Aketi’s niece, Funke Akeredolu Aruna, the former deputy chief protocol to Aketi, shamelessly parades as ‘I am lucky’ bloody serpent! Time will tell if she is truly lucky!” Mrs Akeredolu wrote on social media.
In a swift reaction, the niece said she was being attacked by the former Governor’s widow for rendering her political support to the incumbent Governor Aiyedatiwa.
In a chat with The Tide source, the late governor’s niece revealed that she refused to join the opponents and enemies in chastising the incumbent governor over his political aspirations.
“Mummy (Akeredolu’s wife) is fighting and attacking me now because she has her reason and she is not supporting the incumbent governor.
“I just happened to be a victim of circumstances with whatever that is happening. I was the deputy chief of protocol in the last administration to my uncle (Akeredolu) and this present governor was like a family too to the Akeredolu family,” she said.
While noting that the former governor and Aiyedatiwa were very close before he died, Akeredolu-Aruna said the late governor took the incumbent like a brother who could easily be trusted.
“So, I also called this present governor an uncle. Because of that when the initial issue started, I meant when Lucky was the deputy governor, I didn’t support the cabal.
“It got to a time, they started saying I was dating him (Lucky). When I heard that I was dating him I was surprised. You know that type of white lies that you believed that is not possible and because of what was going on, I didn’t believe all that was being said about him.
“Now that he (Aiyedatiwa) is now the present governor, I happened to be one of the assistant convener of Orimisan Lucky Women in the state, a supporting group for his reelection bid and this particular group is number one in the state because we are all over the 18 LGAs.”
“So, we had a programme yesterday to chart a way forward and it was during this programme that they took my picture. It is just politics and I want to believe that it is the opposition that took that picture and started sending it around with blackmail.
“I think that’s where the late governor’s wife now got the picture and you know she was disappointed that I’m not in their camp and everybody knows I’m in Lucky’s camp. I have always been there when the whole shenanigans started, especially when the politics was hot in the state. It’s not new to the family members that I’m Lucky.
“I won’t back out from Lucky’s camp. I cannot see where there is light and follow darkness. All these things that are flying around the incumbent governor are pure lies because as a Christian I cannot pitch my tent with lies. I have my integrity and I hold it in high spirits.”
Recall that there was animosity between the late governor’s wife and Gov Aiyedatiwa after late Gov Akeredolu got incapacitated before he gave up at a German hospital on December 27, last year.
The state chairman of the party, Dr Babandi Gumel, disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to journalists on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Jigawa PDP received news of Alhaji Lamido’s suspension with “profound shock and disappointment”.
The statement added that the suspension, which was reportedly based on allegations that Alhaji Lamido attended meetings capable of undermining party unity, amounts to an affront to justice, internal democracy and the reconciliation efforts recently championed by the PDP leadership.
The party stressed that the exercise of legal and constitutional rights within the party should not be interpreted as an act of disunity. It recalled that Alhaji Lamido approached the court after he was allegedly denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest the position of National Chairman of the PDP.
The statement further noted that the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ruled in Alhaji Lamido’s favour by restraining the PDP from proceeding with its national convention until his right to contest was determined.
The Jigawa PDP argued that the suspension appeared to be a punitive action against Alhaji Lamido for seeking judicial redress over an issue on which the court had already found merit.
The party also faulted the decision of the BoT for contradicting recent public statements by its chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who had emphasised reconciliation within the party, admitted past mistakes and appealed to aggrieved members to return fully to the PDP fold.
However, it maintained that suspending a founding member who sought justice through legal means runs contrary to the spirit of reconciliation and healing publicly advocated by the party leadership.
The chairman said the suspension was premature and prejudicial, as the matter remains before the courts. He also described Alhaji Lamido as one of the few founding fathers of the PDP who has remained loyal to the party without defecting, warning that punishing such loyalty sends a negative signal to other committed members.
The party further argued that the action undermines party unity at a time when the PDP requires cohesion to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It also insisted that there is no provision in the PDP constitution that allows for the suspension of a “life member”.
The party called on the BoT to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the suspension of Alhaji Lamido.
It also demanded that the BoT publicly affirm the right of all party members to aspire to leadership positions in line with the party’s constitution and the laws of the country, without fear of victimisation.
It further urged the BoT to retrace its steps, align its actions with its reconciliation agenda, and tender an apology to Alhaji Lamido.
The Jigawa PDP reaffirmed its commitment to a united, democratic and law-abiding Party.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC warned that if proven, such actions would amount to a serious breach of constitutional order, legislative integrity, and public trust.
The organisation noted that Nigeria’s law-making process is clearly defined by the Constitution, stressing that any alteration of a bill after parliamentary passage undermines democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.
CISLAC further emphasised that taxation has direct implications for citizens, businesses, sub-national governments, and the overall economy. It stated that uncertainty or a lack of transparency in tax legislation could erode investor confidence and raise concerns about accountability and the possible abuse of executive power.
The organisation described the situation as particularly troubling given the rare inclusive, and thorough public consultation that shaped the law’s final provisions prior to its passage.
“This process brought together taxpayers, civil society groups, professional organisations, the private sector, labour unions, local governments, and technical experts, ensuring that diverse viewpoints were considered and carefully balanced.
“Any unilateral changes to these agreed-upon provisions, made outside the established legislative process and without renewed public engagement, not only breach public trust but also violate the fundamental tax principle of representation, which holds that citizens must have a meaningful voice in shaping the laws that govern how they are taxed. Such actions undermine democratic accountability, weaken the legitimacy of the tax system, and risk eroding public confidence”, it noted.
CISLAC expressed particular concern that uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of the tax law, coming at a time when a new tax regime is expected to take effect, could exacerbate the economic hardship already faced by many Nigerians.
It observed that citizens are contending with rising living costs, inflationary pressures, declining purchasing power, and reduced access to basic services, warning that implementing a disputed tax framework under such conditions, risks deepening inequality, discouraging compliance, and fuelling public resentment.
The organisation stressed that tax reforms must be anchored in clarity, legality, fairness, and social sensitivity, cautioning that any tax system introduced without full transparency, adequate public communication, and legislative certainty undermines voluntary compliance and weakens the social contract between the state and its citizens.
As part of its recommendations, CISLAC called on the Presidency to urgently publish the exact version of the tax law assented to, alongside the authenticated copy passed by the National Assembly, to allow for public and institutional verification.
It also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to promptly exercise its oversight powers to determine whether the assented law reflects the will of the legislature, including a review of the enrolled bill process.
The organisation maintained that any discrepancy discovered should be treated as unconstitutional and addressed through lawful means, such as the re-transmission of the correct bill or judicial interpretation where necessary. It further called for an independent review of the process by relevant institutions, including the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and, where required, the judiciary, to establish the facts and assign responsibility.
CISLAC noted that the controversy highlights the urgent need to strengthen safeguards at the legislative and executive interface. It recommended measures such as digital tracking of bills, public access to enrolled legislation, and more transparent assent procedures.
CISLAC emphasised that the issue is not about partisan politics but about safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. It warned that allowing any arm of government to unilaterally alter laws passed by another sets a dangerous precedent and weakens constitutional democracy.
The organisation urged all parties involved to act with restraint, openness, and fidelity to the Constitution, noting that Nigerians deserve laws that reflect due process, the public interest, and the collective decisions of their elected representatives.
CISLAC added that it will continue to monitor developments and engage relevant stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s governance processes.
