By Abiola Olawale
The family of the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, has called the bluff of the widely circulated reports regarding the marriage of his widow, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, to his brother, Prof. Wole Akeredolu.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the family of Akeredolu denied reports claiming Betty remarried her brother-in-law.
Last week, there were reports that Wole Akeredolu had asked for Betty’s hand in marriage. These reports surfaced after a traditional Mgbafu Mkpe ceremony was performed for Betty.
The ceremony was held on Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
However, the Akeredolu family has dismissed the reports as false and groundless. They clarified that the event was held to express the desire to have Betty continue living with them.
The New Diplomat reports that Mgbafu Mkpe is a traditional Igbo ceremony performed shortly after the demise and burial of a woman’s husband in Igbo land. The family of the woman’s husband would indicate interest in still having the widow live with them or not. Upon saying yes, the in-laws would hand over the widow back to the husband’s family after performing some rituals. Should the husband’s family say no, certain rituals are also conducted to free the woman from her husband’s family.
The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the twist being given to our story entitled: ‘Aketi Eternal: Emeabiam Community Performs Mgbafu Mgbe Rite For Widow.
“For the benefit of those who are not familiar with the story, Aketi is the nickname of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, the former Governor of Ondo State who passed away in December 2023.
“He was married to the former First Lady of Ondo State, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ada Owere 1.
“According to the tradition of the Igbo especially the people of Imo State, the Mgbafu Mkpe ceremony must be held after the death and burial of the husband of their daughter.
“The Mgbafu Mkpe ceremony of Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu was held on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the serene Emeabiam Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
“The ceremony was held at her ancestral compound in Umuikea Emeabiam Community. During the ceremony, Mr. Herbert Igbo representing the Umuegeolu Kindred handed over the former first lady to the immediate younger brother of her late husband, Prof Wole Akeredolu as tradition stipulates.
“This was after the Akeredolus had indicated interest to have Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu still live with them. Some rituals were carried out to seal the handover.
“It is therefore to our utter surprise to read posts made by bloggers, many of whom depended on our story, claiming that Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu is now married to Prof Akeredolu as his wife.
“This is totally false and a clear misrepresentation of what actually transpired during the ceremony. We don’t want to believe this sensational plank given to the story is deliberate. It stems solely from ignorance of the full import of the tradition of the people since most of the bloggers do not hail from the area. However, it is usually good to seek clarification whenever one is in doubt.
“Note that our story did not suggest or assert that Prof Wole Akeredolu is the husband of Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. He did not remarry her either at the ceremony or afterward.”
