“Betrayals, Disloyalty, Have Been Our Lot From My Late Husband’s Friends, Political Allies – Dr. Betty, Late Ondo Gov. Akeredolu’s Widow

By Ayodele Oni

Former Ondo State First Lady, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has in a latest Facebook post, narrated how she has been coping with widowhood.

Betty’s husband, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, a former Governor of Ondo State, died just over two years ago while he was still in office as Governor after a courageous battle with cancer.

She revealed that beyond the pain of losing her husband, she has also endured what she described as “betrayal in its most shameless form” from individuals she and her late husband once considered loyal friends and political allies.

She  made the disclosure in a reflective Facebook post on Tuesday, where she recounted her emotional journey following her husband’s death.

Quoting a message she said resonated with her, she wrote, “If they choose someone or something over you, move on. Not everyone you love will stay. Not everyone you trust will be loyal.”

She explained that while she was still grappling with grief, she was confronted with unexpected disloyalty from some individuals within their circle.

“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,” she wrote.

Describing the experience as both shocking and painful, the former First Lady said the combination of grief and betrayal felt “almost unbearable” at certain moments.

“Grief alone is heavy enough; betrayal layered upon loss can feel almost unbearable,” she stated, adding that the experience shattered her assumptions about “loyalty, friendship, and human decency.”

Despite the emotional turmoil, she said she eventually chose healing over bitterness.

“I discovered that holding on to hurt only prolongs suffering, while letting go creates space for peace,” she noted.

Betty explained that writing became her outlet and pathway to recovery, helping her process emotions and regain clarity.

“Writing became my refuge… Each piece I wrote was not just content; it was therapy, clarity, and restoration,” she said.

She declared that she has now moved beyond the painful chapter.

“Today, I can say with sincerity: I am over it. Not because the experiences did not matter, but because I chose not to allow them to define me,” she wrote.

According to her, the experience has reshaped her understanding of leadership and personal strength.

“The strength to rise above betrayal, to heal without bitterness, and to continue serving with clarity and compassion is, in itself, a quiet but powerful form of leadership,” she added.

She concluded her post with a personal affirmation: “I choose peace. I choose growth. I choose forward movement.”