“Demolition Of Memorial Park Should Not Be Used To Insult Our Oba” – Fmr Late Gov Akeredolu’s Aide

By Ayodele Oni

One of the former Aides to the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Dr Seun Odebowale, has condemned attacks on the personality of the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye over the demolition of the Memorial Park.

Odebowale, who served as Special Adviser, Special Duties to the late Governor, in a statement on his Facebook page, also revealed that the installation of Ajibade Ogunoye as Olowo could not have been singlehandedly done by his late boss.

The former special adviser who was apparently reacting the claim made by Akeredolu’s widow, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, stated that “I identify with him without any reservations as he is worthy in all respects. He is a man of enviable pedigree. He is the third Olowo in his royal lineage.

“I was privileged to have 1witnessed the activities culminating in his choice as the Olowo. I was in charge of Special Duties and Strategy in the Office of the late Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

“I assert, without equivocation, that Aketi did not choose the Olowo, ‘single-handedly’. It is practically impossible in Owo tradition. The prerogative lies with the Omo Olowo. The Ojomo Luda of Ijebu Owo, the head of the Owo princes, presided over the selection process.

“There were other contestants, all prominent sons of the ancient town. Many withdrew after the first meeting. The rest contested and the then Prince Ajibade Ogunoye emerged as the Olowo-elect. I attended the last stage of the process.

“The Prince won, overwhelmingly, and all the other contestants embraced him. There was a huge carnival in Owo that evening. I was there with my team till the following morning.

“I sent on-the-spot reports to Aketi, who was overjoyed that there was no crisis in his town. We were all happy. I paid enough homage to Bacchus, the god of wine, afterwards.

“Nobody can deny the obvious fact that the Olowo was Aketi’s choice. He was our choice too. He was an Atobatele before his ascension to the throne. I worked with him in the Governor’s office and shared memorable moments with him and others. It was a great privilege knowing him.

“He is a decent, well-bred Prince, who entered the palace at the age of two, when his late father, Oba Adekola Ogunoye, became the Olowo in 1968. He was brought up in the best traditions of our ancestors.

” I attest to this fact from the standpoint of our personal relationship. He is one of the very few who still uphold our cherished traditional values.

“I will not join issues on the demolition of the Cenotaph in Owo. It is good that the State Government has promised to build another one. I can only admonish the government to exercise more care in consulting stakeholders, not those who harbour misplaced entitlement mentality, in taking decisions on sensitive matters. In the final analysis, Owo belongs to the people of Owo.

“I must, however, condemn, in the strongest term possible, the statement which suggests that Aketi chose the Olowo “single-handedly”. It is NOT true. Aketi took interest in the selection process not only as a sitting Governor.

“Owo was his town. He knew many of the contestants too. I should also set at nothing the reckless vituperations on our revered king.

“The Olowo is indeed an example of Ilufemiloye. One thousand governors and others combined would not have been able to impose a candidate on Owo. The Ojomo Luda is a retired Major General in the Nigerian Army. The youths of Owo, especially the Ehinogbe boys, would have confronted the devil, if that spirit had embraced madness.

“Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III is a revered monarch among the Yoruba people. He is a full-time traditionalist, who has refused to join impostors to desecrate the land.

“A day old baby may be crowned an Oba among our people. It is the way of our ancestors. We love it. The Olowo is nobody’s baby, not in age, career achievements and experience.

“His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III is not a Warrant Chief imposed on the people by the colonialists. He is the Olowo, the last born of Orunmila. Let no one embrace madness to the point of showing disrespect to him. It will be resisted.”