June 23, 2025

The Olowo-in-Council has justified the demolition of the memorial park built by the former governor of Ondo State, the late Rotimi Akeredolu, to immortalise the worshippers of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, killed in a terrorist attack on the church in 2022.

According to the Palace on a statement, it warned the administration of a former governor against celebrating the dead near the palace which was not in conformity with the age-long culture and traditions of Owo.

It said that all advice to then state government regarding the location of the park was dismissed.

“In view of the public reactions generated by the demolition of the Memorial Park supposedly built in honour of June 5, 2022, murderous attack victims at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the Palace wishes to say unequivocally that the request for this action was at the instance of His Imperial Majesty, Olowo of Owo and the entire good people of the kingdom.

“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,” a statement from the palace read in part.

The palace said the former administration also disregarded the protest by the youth against the location of the memorial park.

It said, “All advice to the late governor that celebrating the dead in any guise around the palace is not in conformity with the age-long culture and traditions of Owo was defiantly dismissed, even at a time a protest was made by concerned Owo youths and stakeholders to that effect which the then governor disregarded.

“The above position of the palace is vindicated by the enthusiasm shown by the Owo people and the deluge of commendations across sundry media platforms in support of the demolition.”

While stating that it would provide additional information on the incident, it urged those against the demolition to direct their questions towards the palace.

It added, “The Olowo-in-Council will soon come out to avail the public with the comprehensive details of all that happened before and during the construction of the structure which led to the current development.