Demolition Of Memorial Park: Late Akeredolu’s Widow, Betty, Weeps, Accuses Olowo Of Hypocrisy

By Ayodele Oni

Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, widow of the late Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, was in Owo, country home of late husband on Wednesday, during which she expressed  sorrow and outrage over the recent demolition of a symbolic monument built in memory of victims of the 2022 St. Francis Catholic Church attack.

In a video posted to her official Facebook page, a visibly distraught Mrs. Akeredolu broke down in tears, condemning what she described as an orchestrated attempt to “rubbish” her husband’s legacy — allegedly spearheaded by the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III and supported by political actors in the State.

“Today, 25/6/25, I was at Aketi’s Mausoleum in Owo. AKETI LIVES ON,” she began, before launching into a powerful rebuke of what she sees as political betrayal and cultural hypocrisy.

Betty Akeredolu recounted the efforts of her late husband to honour the memory of the victims of terrorists attack, calling the demolished structure a “symbolic monument” and not a cemetery, contrary to claims made by critics.

“Nobody, no corpse was buried in that place. It was symbolic,” she emphasized, questioning the motives behind the demolition and expressing disbelief at how a community her husband deeply loved could allow such a dishonor to his memory.

She also directed criticism at the Olowo of Owo, who she claimed was installed by her husband, accusing him of hypocrisy.

“He sleeps with the dead — all the Olowos of Owo, where were they buried? Were they not buried in that place he’s living in? Look at the hypocrisy.

“I promise you, so long as I live, they will not succeed. They will not rubbish you. Aketi lives on!” she vowed.