The demolition of the Memorial Park built to immortalise the slain worshippers of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, by the late Rotimi Akeredolu-led government has continued to spark controversy in the state.
This comes as the family of the late Governor Akeredolu on Monday took a swipe at the Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration over the demolition of the Owo church massacre monument, describing the governor’s action as “a desecration of sacred ground and a betrayal of collective memory.”
In a strongly worded statement, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu expressed outrage over the state government’s decision to demolish the memorial site erected in honour of worshippers killed in the 5 June 2022 terrorist attack at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the widow of the late governor, Anyanwu-Akeredolu, lambasted Aiyedatiwa for the demolition of the monument, describing it as a reflection of distorted priorities.
Mrs Akeredolu noted that her late husband’s administration built the structure to symbolise healing, public mourning, and the resilience of the people who lost their loved ones in the 2022 attack.
She said the monument was commissioned by her late husband as a solemn tribute to lives violently cut short in a house of worship and symbolised a place of collective mourning, remembrance, and healing for the people of Owo and Ondo State at large.
“To now dismiss it as having ‘no economic value’ and to demolish it for a so-called ‘world-class shopping complex’ reveals a disturbing level of moral bankruptcy,” she said.
According to her, the cenotaph served as a memorial for the dozens of worshippers killed during Sunday Mass, saying: “To destroy such a monument and dismiss it as having ‘no economic value’ is not only deeply insensitive, it is morally bankrupt.”
She argued that a truly developed society does not erase its pain for profit, but instead preserves memory, honours the dead, and builds with conscience.
“That site was not just concrete and stone — it was a sanctuary of remembrance. A place where Owo grieved, and began to heal.”
The former First Lady said the decision of the state government to replace the monument with a world-class shopping complex reflects distorted priorities.
“A world-class society does not erase its pain to make way for profit. It preserves memory, honours the dead, and builds with conscience.
“My late husband, a son of Owo, built that monument for the people — not for applause, but for healing. What has been done now insults the victims and disrespects the pain of their families,” she said.
She disagreed with the justification given by the government for the demolition, calling it shallow propaganda and an insult to intelligence.
She queried: “How daft can one be to measure life, memory, and honour by profit margins? An honorary doctorate cannot mask a void where humanity should be. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has shown us who he is, and history, too, will remember.”
“Let this moment remind us that memory matters. The dead deserve more than profit-driven erasure. And history does not forget.”
The spokesperson to the late governor, Richard Olatunde, while clarifying issues regarding the demolition of the Memorial Park built by Akeredolu, said it was constructed to honour the victims of the horrific attack in Owo on 5 June 2022.
He explained that “Akeredolu convened a meeting with the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, his chiefs, and political appointees from Owo, where he outlined his vision for the park.
“He explicitly stated that no corpses would be buried there and sought the Olowo’s approval. He also offered an alternative: if the Olowo was not comfortable with the proposed location, the park could be relocated to Ijebu-Owo or other areas in the town. The Olowo and his chiefs agreed to the chosen site. I was present at that meeting.”
“When the late Governor Akeredolu built the park, he was not playing politics. He acted solely on what he believed was necessary and appropriate.
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