The family of the late Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has become divided over an endorsement of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The youngest brother of the late governor, Oluwafemi Akeredolu, reportedly declared support for Akingboye during a public endorsement on Thursday. This declaration stood in opposition to the incumbent governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded Akeredolu after his passing in December 2023.
Aiyedatiwa, who served as Akeredolu’s deputy, assumed office as governor to complete the late principal’s tenure. However, reports of a strained relationship between Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa in the months preceding the late governor’s demise have continued to spark political debate. Analysts speculate that Aiyedatiwa might not have secured the APC governorship ticket if Akeredolu were still alive.
Speaking during the endorsement, Oluwafemi Akeredolu expressed dissatisfaction with the APC and justified his support for the SDP candidate. “I am the youngest brother of the late Oluwafemi Akeredolu, the former governor of Ondo State—same father, same mother. In our family, when we say we are going forward, we don’t look back. My brother was a staunch APC member, but what has the party done for us as Nigerians? The party can pick an idiot and expect people to vote. This is not about the party but about truth and precision.”
However, the Akeredolu family, in a statement issued on Friday, distanced itself from the endorsement. The family head, Professor Oluwole Akeredolu, clarified that Oluwafemi’s actions were personal and did not reflect the family’s position.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Professor Oluwole Akeredolu, the immediate younger brother of the recently departed Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is the head of the Akeredolu family and solely authorised to speak on behalf of the family. Neither he nor any of the principal members of the family has declared support for the SDP. The Akeredolu family has not declared any such support,” the statement read.
While acknowledging Oluwafemi’s involvement with the SDP, the family emphasised that his association was a personal decision. “We are not unaware of the activities of Olufemi Akeredolu and his association with the SDP. He is an adult with an inalienable right to freedom of association. However, he does not speak for the family, nor is he authorised to do so,” the statement added.
The internal rift within the family continues to draw public attention as Ondo State approaches its decisive election day.
