Ondo Guber: Akeredolu Family Says No “Declared Support For SDP” But Silent on Aiyedatiwa

The family of the late respected politician, Rotimi Akeredolu, has addressed claims of backing the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to win the November 16 Ondo State gubernatorial election.

In a statement released by Olabode Richard Akintunde, the former spokesperson for Akeredolu, and signed by the head of the family, Professor Oluwole Akeredolu, the family asserted that “the Akeredolu Family has not declared any such support.”

The statement provided context on the possible cause of claims that the Akeredolu family is backing the SDP, explaining that “We are not unaware of the activities of Olufemi Akeredolu (the youngest of the brothers of the immediate past Governor of Ondo State) and his association with the SDP. He is an adult, an individual with an inalienable right to freedom of association. He does not speak for the family, neither is he authorised to do so.”

Philanthropist Akingboye Benson Bamidele is the gubernatorial candidate of the SDP for the Ondo gubernatorial election.

Former Governor Akeredolu, who died in office in December 2023, was one of the founding members of the ruling APC and a pivotal figure in the affairs of the political party, particularly in the South West.

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the former Deputy Governor who succeeded Akeredolu, is the candidate of the APC for Saturday’s election.

However, he is at odds with the Akeredolu political structure, especially members sympathetic to the former governor’s widow, Betty Akeredolu, over issues rooted in the period Akeredolu battled the illness that ultimately led to his death.

The Akeredolu structure and family have not identified with Aiyedatiwa since he took over the reins of affairs in Ondo State.

The statement from the family, which clarified that there is no declared support for the SDP, was silent on the family’s association with the APC and its gubernatorial candidate, Aiyedatiwa.

The statement, which emphasised that “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,” was released on the evening of Friday, November 15, 2024, and bore a simple header: “Press Statement.”