Wife Reflects On Grief, ‘Betrayal’ After Rotimi Akeredolu’s Death

Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, widow of former Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has opened up on the emotional and political challenges she faced following her husband’s death.

Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, died on December 27, 2023, at the age of 67 after battling leukaemia and prostate cancer.

In a social media post on Tuesday, the former First Lady of Ondo State said the period after his passing exposed what she described as betrayal by some individuals she had regarded as trusted allies and political associates.

According to her, instead of solidarity, she encountered actions that left her deeply hurt.

She wrote, “Life has a way of confronting us with truths we never imagined we would have to face. When my husband passed two years ago, I found myself not only navigating grief, but also witnessing betrayal in its most shameless form from people we had considered friends and political loyalists.

“It was both shocking and painful. Grief alone is heavy enough; betrayal layered upon loss can feel almost unbearable. At moments, the experience felt horrendous, even terrifying, because it shattered assumptions I had held about loyalty, friendship, and human decency.”

She noted that some individuals she supported during her husband’s administration distanced themselves after his death, offering what she described as sobering lessons about loyalty and the fleeting nature of political relationships.

Dr Anyanwu-Akeredolu said time and reflection helped her realise that holding on to hurt only prolongs suffering.

“But adversity, if we allow it, can also become a teacher. Time passed. Reflection deepened. Healing began quietly, almost imperceptibly at first. Somewhere along the way, I discovered that holding on to hurt only prolongs suffering, while letting go creates space for peace,” she stated.

She revealed that writing became her coping mechanism, describing it as a refuge that helped her regain clarity and inner strength.

“Writing became my refuge. Through my Substack, I found an anchor, a place to pour out thoughts, process emotions, and reconnect with my inner strength. Each piece I wrote was not just content; it was therapy, clarity, and restoration. In telling my story, I reclaimed my voice. In sharing my reflections, I rediscovered calm,” she said.

Beyond her personal loss, she said her writings now focus on issues such as gender advocacy, widowhood, girls’ empowerment, public health, community development, food security, insecurity and politics.

“The beauty of it all is that I discovered a new dimension of my voice, a writing power I did not fully know I possessed. I have a lot to say, and people are paying attention. That realization has been both humbling and deeply fulfilling,” she added.

Despite the setbacks, the former First Lady said she remains committed to preserving her husband’s legacy in governance, advocacy and public health.

She also encouraged women and widows facing similar circumstances to remain resilient.

“Not because the experiences did not matter, but because I chose not to allow them to define me. One of life’s greatest lessons is acceptance, accepting that not everyone is meant to stay, not everyone will be loyal, and not every relationship will endure the storms of life.

“Some people are seasonal. Some are situational. And some reveal their true nature only when circumstances change.

“What matters most is that we do not lose ourselves in the process. What began as a search for healing has evolved into purpose. I choose peace. I choose growth. I choose forward movement, and in that choice, I have found freedom and fulfilment,” she wrote.