The recent petitions and calls on the Ondo State Government to commence an investigation into the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu have sparked tension in the state.
Reactions have continued to trail the calls, with prominent indigenes calling on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa not to dabble into the matter.
Recall that Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, in Germany, after a protracted illness.
After his death, Aiyedatiwa, who was the acting governor at the time, was sworn in as substantive governor.
On Monday, the government said it had received many petitions from residents of Owo and some professional groups to probe the death of the former governor.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, in a statement, confirmed that the government had received petitions demanding a formal coroner’s inquest into the death of the former governor.
Ajulo, in the statement, noted that the public had the right under the Coroners Law of Ondo State to demand clarity in cases where foul play was suspected or questions lingered, adding that the law would be allowed to take its course without bias or sentiment.
He said, “We have received petitions from groups both within and outside the state, including professional bodies and even from the late governor’s hometown.
“Let me be clear: due process will be followed. The law is there to serve the people and ensure that truth and justice prevail.
“It is not out of place for citizens to demand its (the law) invocation when there are legitimate concerns.
“The Attorney General is duty-bound to act in accordance with the law once such concerns are raised by members of the public.”
Speaking on the development, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and former Minister of State for Transport, Ademola Adegoroye, on Tuesday, cautioned the controversial idea of the investigation.
Adegoroye, in a statement made available to newsmen, titled, “All things are lawful but not all things are expedient,” warned the government against being used by “some mischievous persons to make it start an unnecessary wildfire in the state.”
The former minister said he had been inundated with calls by prominent individuals from within and outside the state since news broke about the plan of the government as confirmed by the justice commissioner that there would be a coroners inquest into the death of the former governor.
Adegoroye advised the Attorney-General to investigate the intentions of the petitioners who “may actually plan to make Aiyedatiwa’s administration look like it is simply out for a witch-hunt.”
“Everyone should let the dead rest. Let the controversies around him end and let God be God in the matter,” he appealed.
Similarly, a legal practitioner in the state, Mr. Sola Ajisafe, urged the governor to apply wisdom in dealing with the matter.
The statement read in part, “Mr Governor sir, as you navigate these challenges, I hope you’ll remember the importance of gratitude, empathy, and wisdom.
“Your legacy will be defined by the choices you make, and I pray that you’ll choose a path that promotes healing and unity.”
When contacted via a WhatsApp message, Akeredolu’s widow, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, declined to comment on the matter.
She simply declared: “No comment.”
The Punch
