By Charles Igbo

A disappointed former Spokesperson to the late Governor of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has put a lie to the claims by the Olowo-in-Council that Akeredolu was told not to build a Memorial Park in honour of the victims of a terrorist attack at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo Ondo State.

On June 5, 2022, well armed terrorist invaded the Church during the morning Mass and slaughtered dozens of the congregants.

In their memory, a devastated and mourning Governor Akeredolu erected a cenotaph opposite the Palace of the Olowo of Owo.

However, in what has been received with mixed feelings, the Ondo State Government on Monday, June 23, 2025,  demolished the Memorial Park saying it was against Owo’s Culture to  build the Memorial Park near the Olowo’s Palace. In its place, the Government said it would build a modern market to boost its revenue.

The first to react was Akeredolu’s family. In a strongly-worded condemnation of the demolition, Akeredolu’s widow, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, described the exercise as a sacrilege committed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. She saw it as “a desecration  of a sacred ground and a betrayal of collective memory.”

She continued: “To destroy such a monument and dismiss it as having no economic value is not only deeply insensitive, it is morally bankrupt.”

Quite a number of people agree with the outraged Mrs Akeredolu. But in a below the belt reaction, the Olowo- in-Council, distanced Governor Aiyedatiwa from the demolition and said the Council should be held responsible for the exercise. They said  they adviced Akeredolu not to build a  Memorial Park there but that all appeals to him was ignored.

However, Akeredolu’s Spokesperson, Richard Olatunde, in his reaction put a lie to the claims of the Olowo-in-Council.

He clarified that Akeredolu consulted with the  Olowo and even offered to erect it somewhere else if the Olowo disapproved of it, but that Olowo encouraged him to go ahead.

His words:  “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.

“It is sad that some government appointees are now injecting political undertones into this matter. This is very unfortunate.”

Olatunde also revealed that no bodies or corpses were buried at the memorial park,  and said “it was  constructed to celebrate the lives and memories of the departed souls. Not a single body was interred there.

“The tragic incident of 5 June 2022 was an international tragedy. Given its sensitive nature, I believe the government should have exercised greater caution in demolishing the park.

“This action will undoubtedly reopen wounds in the hearts of the victims’ families. The late Governor Akeredolu responded to the tragedy of 5 June 2022 with courage and resolve, doing what any responsible and responsive leader would do anywhere in the world.

“This demolition cannot erase his gallant efforts. We will continue to remember the victims of the Owo massacre. They are martyrs who died serving God. May God continue to grant their souls eternal repose.”

The Catholic Church in its own  reaction expressed reservation that the Church was not briefed or communicated with before the demolition of the cenotaph.

The Spokesperson for the Ondo Catholic Diocese, Father Austin Ikwu, said:

“I have been receiving calls over the development. We are making moves already, but we have not been able to reach out to the Governor or any representative of the government.

“But what I gathered from the Parish Priest in Owo where the massacre took place is that he was just told that the place would be demolished, but of course, there was no dialogue or a roundtable discussion leading to that decision.

“So, that is why we want to seek audience with the Governor to really know what is going on.”

But the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, explained that the  Government  demolished the cenotaph over complaints from the Palace about its siting.

The Olowo-in-Council, he said, personally “requested the monument’s removal through the Local Government. They noted the spiritual inappropriateness of a death symbol facing the palace—the sacred seat of life and authority in Owo.

“It was a special request from the palace of the Olowo, as it is said to be against the culture and tradition to site such near the palace.

“This is not desecration, but restoration of cultural balance. A modern market will rise in its place to serve our people, while the monument is being respectfully relocated within Owo.”

He disclosed that the  Government would build another one in a different location soon, in memory of the mudered Catholic faithful.

Akeredolu was a distinguished and prominent son of Owo.

By Ayodele Oni

As efforts are being made to end the two weeks strike by Judiciary workers in Ondo State, the Attorney General, (AG) and commissioner for Justice, Olukoyede Ajulo SAN, has insisted that ambiguities surrounding judgement on the financial Autonomy for the judiciary, have stalled its implementation.

Ajulo, who confirmed that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been holding meetings with the striking workers, noted that “there are critical ambiguities surrounding the implementation of the judgment on financial autonomy.

The AG told journalists in Akure that “The Judgment obtained by some overzealous elements, while affirming autonomy, lacks specific directives on allocation ratios and the precise distribution of funds among various judicial bodies as well as other agencies of Government.

“This lack of clarity and the setting aside of some provisions of Ondo State Judiciary Fund Management (Autonomy)  Law, 2021 has led the government to seek judicial interpretation through a formal appeal, a necessary step to avoid missteps and ensure lawful compliance.

“What must be made clear is this: the government has neither acted in bad faith nor shown disregard for the judiciary. On the contrary, it has upheld the principles of the rule of law, opting for legal clarity rather than hasty, potentially unconstitutional action.

“This approach reflects a deeper commitment to enduring reform, institutional stability, and responsible governance, a path that ultimately benefits the entire justice system.

“Despite the ongoing legal appeal challenging the judgment, the Attorney General remains fully conscious of the vital role judicial workers play and the necessity of resolving outstanding issues through dialogue.

“He has already taken immediate steps to address the situation in a manner that will support the timely return of workers to their posts.”

On the strike by judiciary workers, the AG confirmed that “In fact, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa met with the leadership of the JUSUN to discuss and an agreement has been reached on a way forward in ensuring that their demands are met. And we are optimistic about the calling off of the strike.”

Ajulo revealed the Governor’s meeting with the stakeholders held on Monday 23rd June, 2025, where it was agreed that JUSUN should suspend the industrial action for further negotiations.

Ajulo said the state government was awaiting the JUSUN to suspend the strike after an agreement with Governor Aiyedatiwa.

Ajulo said, “the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) is layered with political complexity and requires thoughtful navigation.”