Late Akeredolu’s Wife Tackles Ondo Governor Aiyedatiwa Over Demolition Of Owo Catholic Church Memorial
Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, widow of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has strongly criticized the recent demolitions in Owo, calling them a clear reflection of leadership failure.
In a statement shared on her X handle on Wednesday morning, Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu expressed her disappointment and shock over the demolition of the monument built in memory of the Owo Catholic church massacre, which occurred on June 5, 2022.
The monument, erected by her late husband, was a solemn tribute to the lives lost in the tragic incident. Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu condemned the demolition, describing it as an act of “profound insensitivity” and “moral bankruptcy.”
She questioned the rationale behind dismissing the monument’s value and demolishing it for a shopping complex, saying, “A world-class society does not erase its pain to make way for profit.”
According to Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the demolition is not just a political misstep but an affront to decency, insulting the victims and disrespecting their families.
She criticized the leadership of Lucky Aiyedatiwa, saying, “Lucky Aiyedatiwa has shown us who he is, and history will remember.”
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu who was reacting to the demolition of Mr Peter Obi brother’s property by Lagos State government without proper notification, said “My broda, sorry about what happened. Like Lagos like Owo, we are in the season of demolition.”
According to her the demolition is happening because “guy men” occupy positions.
She wrote: “On June 21, 2025, Lucky Aiyedatiwa ordered the demolition of the monument built in memory of Owo Catholic church massacre that shocked the nation on June 5, 2022.
“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. That monument, built by my late husband, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, 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.
“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. A world-class society does not erase its pain to make way for profit. It preserves memory, it honours the dead, and it builds with conscience.
“This evil act is not just a political misstep, it is an affront to decency. It insults the victims, disrespects their families, and dishonours the legacy of a governor who governed with empathy and stood for justice.
“The voiceover defending this abomination only deepens the outrage. How daft can one be to assume that the value of life, memory, and honour must be measured by profit margins? An honorary doctorate cannot mask a glaring absence of humanity and scholarship.
“Lucky Aiyedatiwa has shown us who he is and history, too, will remember.”
The statement has sparked a wave of reactions, with many Nigerians expressing their outrage over the demolition of the monument.
