SocialMediaTrends: Nigerians bash former Ondo First Lady, Betty Akeredolu for calling Nigeria a zoo country

Former Ondo First Lady, Betty Akeredolu, has come in for serious bashing from social media users after she described Nigeria as a ‘Zoo country’ that is beyond redemption.

Mrs. Akeredolu whose husband, Rotimi Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023 as the sitting governor of Ondo State, got herself into trouble while making comparisons between the Nigeria’s presidential election and that of the United States via her X account.

“Just thinking. 2023 Nigerian Presidential Election Total Votes Cast: 25 million Counting Duration: 5 days.

“2024 U.S Presidential Election Total Votes Cast: 155 million Counting Duration: Approx. 10 hours

“Moral: When dishonesty is prioritized, simple things become difficult.”

Just thinking 🤔

2023 Nigerian Presidential Election
Total Votes Cast: 25 million
Counting Duration: 5 days

2024 U.S Presidential Election
Total Votes Cast: 155 million
Counting Duration: Approx. 10 hours

Moral:

When dishonesty is prioritized, simple things become difficult.

— Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, PhD (@adaowere1) November 13, 2024

The post by Mrs. Akeredolu elicited varied responses as many seemed to agree with her while some disagreed with her position.

However, one particular comment caught her attention which made her refer to Nigeria as a zoo country.

The comment from one Paulexy with the handle @paul_oza, said:

“Truth is indeed bitter. I can understand the attacks on her. We are doomed in this country Nigeria.”

Truth is indeed bitter
I can understand the attacks on her.
We are doomed in this country Nigeria.

— Paulexy (@paul_ozah) November 13, 2024

Replying to Paulexy’s comment, Mrs Akeredou said:

“Very bitter indeed! Who will rescue Nigeria? What a zoo country!”

Very bitter indeed! Who will rescue Nigeria? What a zoo country!

— Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, PhD (@adaowere1) November 13, 2024

The reference to Nigeria as a zoo country did not go down well with many who took turns to hit at the former First Lady, with many calling her a tribalistic bigot due to her origin as an Igbo lady.

But Mrs. Akeredolu herself did not take prisoners as she gave back as much as she got.

Read some of the exchanges below:

“That a country has challenges doesn’t make it a zoo, especially when the country afforded you with the education and opportunities that has made you who you are.

“The same country that made your husband President of its NBA and even a governor. To refer to Nigeria with that word means you are a dimwit. An ingrate, who intends to pull down this country with your words, by causing the youths to lose hope in the country.

“If this Republic, my own dear nation is what you called it, it also means the state you and your husband governed is part of the jungle and you, your late husband and children are animals who couldn’t use the opportunity given to you to transform your state and by extension the nation as a whole.

“Your attempt to use “Ethnic hate/bigotry” on those who are calling out your foolishness is lame.

That a country has challenges doesn’t make it a zoo, especially when the country afforded you with the education and opportunities that has made you who you are. The same country that made your husband President of its NBA and even a governor. To refer to Nigeria with that word…

— Iyo Obietonbara (@sankofa360) November 13, 2024

“I made an honest but harmless observation on Nigerian and US presidential elections, twitter is now on 🔥 🔥 🔥. Kilode?🤷🏿‍♀️😀. Obviously, truth hurts and hurts with tribal colouration. Tufiakwa! Look at the attacks,” she fired back.

Why all the noise about Aketi’s widow?
Wetin dey hapun?

I made an honest but harmless observation on Nigerian and US presidential elections, twitter is now on 🔥 🔥 🔥. Kilode?🤷🏿‍♀️😀. Obviously, truth hurts and hurts with tribal colouration. Tufiakwa! Look at the attacks, …2

— Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, PhD (@adaowere1) November 13, 2024

In another post, she wrote:

“Did you notice a pattern? The Igbophobia is so thick and vicious. And by association as my darling husband, Aketi was not spared. Infact, to his people, nde ofenmanu, Aketi was an Igboman and very quickly, they would sweep under the carpet his bold and courageous role.”

did you notice a pattern? The Igbophobia is so thick and vicious. And by association as my darling husband, Aketi was not spared. Infact, to his people, nde ofenmanu, Aketi was an Igboman and very quickly, they would sweep under the carpet his bold and courageous role on the…3

— Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, PhD (@adaowere1) November 13, 2024

In yet another post on the thread, Mrs. Akeredolu said:

“In fact, to his people, nde ofenmanu, Aketi was an Igboman and very quickly, they would sweep under the carpet his bold and courageous role on the Nigerian political landscape. How dare you? Una dey craz!😡 Those deplorable bullies can’t succeed no matter hard they try.”

Infact, to his people, nde ofenmanu, Aketi was an Igboman and very quickly, they would sweep under the carpet his bold and courageous role on the Nigerian political landscape. How dare you? Una dey craz!😡 Those deplorable bullies can’t succeed no matter hard they try.

— Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, PhD (@adaowere1) November 13, 2024

“Let me be clear, Aketi’s legacy is written in gold on the marble, incase, they didn’t know. As for their bad mouth against me, dem go taya! Ada Owere no send o .”Awuum akwaa akwuru”, she said in another response.

How dare you? Una dey craz!😡 Those deplorable bullies can’t succeed no matter hard they try. Let me be clear, Aketi’s legacy is written in gold on the marble, incase, they didn’t know. As for their bad mouth against me, dem go taya! Ada Owere no send o .”Awuum akwaa akwuru”

— Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, PhD (@adaowere1) November 13, 2024

Then came the barrage of attacks from netizens

“Nigerians interest you to know that, because of your actions as the first lady of a Yoruba State at one point, future leaders with any Ibo wife will not be tolerated anywhere in Yoruba land again.”
This is until Seyi Tinubu decides to run for governor of Lagos.”

“It may interest you to know that, because of your actions as the first lady of a Yoruba State at one point, future leaders with any Ibo wife will not be tolerated anywhere in Yoruba land again.”
This is until Seyi Tinubu decides to run for governor of Lagos.

— Olumide Kembi MBA (@Olumidekem) November 13, 2024

“You are just embarrassing yourself and your late husband. You are a beneficiary of a failed system. You and your husband contributed to the ruins. Nonsense.”

You are just embarrassing yourself and your late husband. You are a beneficiary of a failed system. You and your husband contributed to the ruins. Nonsense

— Khone (@kingkhone4real) November 13, 2024

“One thing I know is that if Rotimi Akeredolu comes back to this world again with his right senses, he will distance himself from you, Betty Anyanwu, and people like you.

“Late Rotimi made you relevant in life, but all you do is drag his name in the mud and disrespect his memories daily with your uncouth utterances. You need to do better.”

One thing I know is that if Rotimi Akeredolu comes back to this world again with his right senses, he will distance himself from you, Betty Anyanwu, and people like you.
Late Rotimi made you relevant in life, but all you do is drag his name in the mud and disrespect his memories… pic.twitter.com/VXXczts5Rr

— Diekololaoluwa (@YeyeOba001) November 14, 2024

“Zoo country? 👀 Same country your husband was SAN, NBA President, and went on to be Governor for close to 8yrs?????!!!!!

“Èé de bẹru Ọlọ́run, ìyá wá.💔
This was “below the belt” for a country that made you!”

Zoo country? 👀
Same country your husband was SAN, NBA President, and went on to be Governor for close to 8yrs?????!!!!!

Èé de bẹru Ọlọ́run, ìyá wá.💔
This was “below the belt” for a country that made you!

— Director Lẹykìí (@Olalekanakogun) November 13, 2024

“Should we take it then that only you can have an opinion, and that your opinion must be sacred to which no one can react.

“It may interest you to know that, because of your actions as the first lady of a Yoruba State at one point, future leaders with any Ibo wife will not be tolerated anywhere in Yoruba land again.

“You became a ‘piece of unprintable words’ to us for all the atrocities you committed as the wife of a governor in a Yoruba state. The scam you perpetuated using that woman with breast cancer is fresh in our memory.

“The blood of that woman is on your neck. All your atrocities are well documented, if you must hear, and we are eagerly waiting for the opportunity to make you accountable for your evil deed.

“Here, in the same manner as every other Ibo, you have no problem insulting the same Yoruba people you have taken advantage of while your husband was in the office. In the meantime you’ll do well to shut your trap b***h!’

Should we take it then that only you can have an opinion, and that your opinion must be sacred to which no one can react.

It may interest you to know that, because of your actions as the first lady of a Yoruba State at one point, future leaders with any Ibo wife will not be…

— The Conservative. (@YorubaYcy) November 13, 2024

“Coming from the wife of the Late Governor of Ondo State. A useless polarised entity that brought so much bitterness into the politics of Ondo State with her Igbotic shenanigans.
You are the most dishonest first lady in the history of Ondo State.
AdaOsiwin.’

Coming from the wife of the Late Governor of Ondo State. A useless polarised entity that brought so much bitterness into the politics of Ondo State with her Igbotic shenanigans.
You are the most dishonest first lady in the history of Ondo State.
AdaOsiwin.

— Ade’. Ademola (@AdeHardemola) November 13, 2024

‘These tweets say a lot about your personality. You are not refined at all. Despite being married to a Yoruba family for many years and even rose to become a First Lady, you still have this primitive tribal mindset.”

These tweets say a lot about your personality. You are not refined at all. Despite being married to a Yoruba family for many years and even rose to become a First Lady, you still have this primitive tribal mindset

— Yakub Tijani (@YakubTijani2) November 13, 2024

“Madam Ex Gov’s Widow: Are you okay Ma? Is this one of your coping mechanisms of being a widow?

“Ma: Some States in the US(es) started voting since October, Some Started three weeks before general elections, some 2 wks, mail in ballots were sent months ahead…when you factor all these…you ll understand better…We don’t practice same in Nigeria.

‘E pele ma, Olorun ni Oko opo…A bu omi tutu si okan yin Ma…You need to rest from SM propaganda…ko le help yin.”

Madam Ex Gov’s Widow: Are you okay Ma? Is this one of your coping mechanisms of being a widow?
Ma: Some States in the Uses started voting since October, Some Started three weeks before general elections, some 2 wks, mail in ballots were sent months ahead…when you factor all…

— Y (@Yemo247) November 13, 2024

“Don’t cry too much, the only reason you were relevant is Gone, God bless his soul, Aside from the Amotekun project he stood firm on, what other legacy does your husband have ? We know how he begged vigorously to earn his second term. So stop moaning about legacies please.”

Don’t cry too much, the only reason you were relevant is Gone, God bless his soul, Aside from the Amotekun project he stood firm on, what other legacy does your husband have ? We know how he begged vigorously to earn his second term. So stop moaning about legacies please

— Oluwatobiloba Akanni Rodriquez (@Drafroninety) November 13, 2024

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