-Ondo Government Demolishes Memorial Park For Owo Victims
The Ondo State Government has demolished a memorial park built to honor the victims of the 2022 Owo church attack, which killed over 40 worshippers at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
You would recall that the administration of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the late former governor of Ondo, constructed the memorial park to honour the over 40 worshippers killed in the attack.
However, the demolition was carried out on the orders of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, following complaints from the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, who described the memorial’s location near the palace as a cultural taboo and “abomination.”
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The people of Owo, who also described the location of the park as inappropriate, stated that it is a taboo for the monarch to sight such.
Confirming the demolition in an interview on Sunday, the spokesman to the state governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the decision was taken by the government after complaints from the palace about the site of the cenotaph.
“It was a special request from the palace of the Olowo as it is said to be against the culture and tradition to site such near the palace.”
The demolition has sparked outrage, with former First Lady of Ondo, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu condemning the action as an act of profound insensitivity and desecration of sacred ground.
“What kind of leadership defiles the memory of innocent souls in such a callous manner? Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s demolition of the Owo church massacre monument is not only an act of profound insensitivity; it is a desecration of sacred ground,” the former Ondo first lady said as Ondo government demolishes memorial park.
“That monument, built by my late husband, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, a son of Owo, was a solemn tribute to lives violently cut short in a house of worship. It symbolised collective mourning, remembrance, and healing.
“This evil act is not just a political misstep; it is an affront to decency. It insults the victims, disrespects their families, and dishonors the legacy of a governor who governed with empathy and stood for justice.
“Lucky Aiyedatiwa has shown us who he is and history, too, will remember,” she continued.
