The family of the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has expressed strong condemnation over the decision to rename an uncompleted judicial complex in the state after the former governor. In a statement issued by the family today, they described the renaming as an unnecessary and misguided attempt to politicize an important public project, which should be completed based on merit and public interest rather than posthumous honors.
The Akeredolu family clarified that while they appreciate the recognition of the late governor's contributions to the development of Ondo State, the decision to name the judicial complex after him, when the project is not even completed, is inappropriate and premature. The family stated that Arakunrin Akeredolu’s legacy deserves to be honored in a manner befitting his achievements and in a way that reflects the long-lasting impact of his tenure.
The statement reads: “We find it troubling that a public facility, especially one of such importance, would be renamed while still incomplete, without consideration for the proper processes and the broader interests of the state. Our late father’s work as governor stands on its own, and he would have preferred that the project be finished with the resources and attention it deserves, rather than being used for political purposes.”
The Akeredolu family reiterated that it is crucial for public projects, particularly those related to the judiciary, to be completed and maintained with the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and in the interest of all citizens. They stressed that the legacy of a leader is best upheld through tangible progress, infrastructure, and initiatives that directly benefit the people, not through symbolic gestures that could potentially undermine the integrity of the state’s institutions.