By Prosper Mene
Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, widow of the late Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has fiercely criticized the demolition of the Owo Memorial Park, a monument erected to honor the victims of the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo. The cenotaph, commissioned by her late husband in 2023, was razed on June 22, 2025, by the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, sparking widespread outrage and reigniting painful memories of the massacre that claimed over 40 lives.
In a statement posted on her official social media platforms, a visibly distraught Mrs. Akeredolu described the demolition as “an act of profound insensitivity” and a “desecration of sacred ground.” She emphasized that the memorial, located in the heart of Owo, was a solemn tribute to the innocent worshippers brutally killed during a Sunday Mass, serving as a symbol of collective mourning and healing for the community. “What kind of leadership defiles the memory of innocent souls in such a callous manner?” she questioned, slamming the Aiyedatiwa administration for prioritizing commercial interests over human dignity.
The Ondo State government justified the demolition, citing cultural concerns raised by the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, who reportedly deemed the monument’s location opposite his palace a “cultural taboo” and an “abomination.” The government plans to replace the park with a “world-class shopping complex” to boost local commerce. However, this explanation has been met with skepticism and condemnation from various quarters, including the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, which called the demolition “unacceptable” and a “violation of our common respect for the dignity of life.”
Mrs. Akeredolu, who visited her late husband’s mausoleum in Owo on June 25, 2025, broke down in tears while addressing the issue in a video posted on her Facebook page. She accused the Olowo of Owo of hypocrisy, alleging that he had initially supported the park’s construction during her husband’s tenure. She further claimed the demolition was an orchestrated attempt to erase her husband’s legacy, spearheaded by political actors in the state. “AKETI LIVES ON,” she declared, referring to her late husband by his nickname, vowing that the memory of the victims and her husband’s contributions would endure despite the destruction.
The Catholic Diocese of Ondo, led by Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Jude Arogundade, louded Mrs. Akeredolu’s sentiments, condemning the “sudden and unannounced” demolition as a “desecration of sacred memory” and an affront to the victims’ families. The Diocese has sought an official audience with Governor Aiyedatiwa to demand an explanation for the decision, which was made without consultation with the church or the affected community.
Richard Olatunde, former Chief Press Secretary to the late Governor Akeredolu, also weighed in, disputing claims by the Olowo-in-Council that the monarch had opposed the park’s location from the outset. Olatunde revealed that the Olowo had given his approval during a meeting convened by Akeredolu, where alternative locations were discussed. “The late Governor Akeredolu acted solely on what he believed was necessary and appropriate,” Olatunde said, warning that the demolition risks reopening old wounds for the victims’ families.
Mrs. Akeredolu, undeterred by the backlash, reiterated her commitment to preserving the memory of the Owo massacre victims. “A world-class society does not erase its pain to make way for profit. It preserves memory, it honors the dead, and it builds with conscience,” she said, calling for accountability and dialogue to resolve the matter.
As tensions rises in Owo, the Catholic Diocese and community leaders have urged for calm, expressing hope that open discussions with the state government will address the grievances and restore respect for the victims’ memory.
