The Ondo State Government has removed the memorial park established by the late former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, in remembrance of the victims of the 2022 terrorist attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo.
The cenotaph, which carried the names of those killed in the attack and stood prominently in the centre of Owo town, was reportedly dismantled on the directive of the current governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
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Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to Mr Aiyedatiwa, confirmed the park’s demolition to journalists.
He explained that the government acted following concerns raised by the palace regarding the monument’s location.
“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,” Mr Adeniyan stated.
The tragic attack in June 2022 claimed the lives of at least 40 worshippers, with many others sustaining injuries after gunmen stormed the church during morning Mass.
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In 2023, late Akeredolu initiated the construction of the memorial to pay tribute to those who lost their lives.
However, the project faced opposition from the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, who objected to the placement of the park directly opposite his palace.
In a statement releasedyesterday, the Olowo-in-Council clarified that the request for the demolition came directly from the palace and reflected the collective will of the Owo people.
“It must be made clear that the decision to site the structure in that particular location was resisted by the Olowo-in-Council and frowned upon by the people of the community when it was being conceived by the Government of the late Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON,” the council stated.
They explained that the palace had consistently advised the late governor that memorialising the dead near the palace was contrary to the long-standing customs and traditions of Owo, but their concerns were ignored.
Even protests by Owo youths and local stakeholders at the time were reportedly dismissed by the late Akeredolu administration.
The Olowo-in-Council added that the public’s reaction to the demolition, including wide support and commendations across media platforms, had vindicated the palace’s stance.
The council further stressed that anyone aggrieved by the demolition should direct their complaints to the palace, not Mr Aiyedatiwa.
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“We advise anyone with any issues whatsoever against the demolition to make the palace their target and not the listening Governor, Hon. (Dr.) Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who is not in any way responsible for the demolition,” the statement read.
The Olowo-in-Council also promised to release full details surrounding the construction of the memorial park and the events that led to its eventual removal in due course.
