The Olowo-in-Council has clarified its stance on the controversial demolition of the Memorial Park built in honour of the victims of the June 5, 2022, massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo. The traditional institution stated that the removal of the structure was carried out at the request of His Imperial Majesty, the Olowo of Owo, and with the full backing of the people of the kingdom.
In a statement released by the palace, the council emphasized that the original decision to erect the memorial close to the Olowo’s palace was met with stiff resistance from both the traditional council and members of the Owo community. According to the palace, the project, initiated by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, was implemented despite several objections.
“Right from its conception, the Olowo-in-Council opposed the siting of the memorial in that location. We advised against situating any monument honouring the dead so close to the palace, as it goes against our long-standing cultural values and traditions,” the statement read.
The council further disclosed that public demonstrations were staged by concerned youths and stakeholders within the community at the time, but the protests were ignored by the former governor’s administration.
Justifying the recent demolition, the palace noted that the action has been met with widespread approval from indigenes of the town and across various media platforms. “The overwhelming support and commendations from the people of Owo vindicate our earlier position,” the statement added.
The Olowo-in-Council also revealed plans to release a comprehensive account of events leading up to the construction and eventual demolition of the memorial. In the meantime, the palace urged critics of the demolition to direct their grievances to the traditional institution rather than the incumbent Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
“The current Governor had no hand in the decision. Those aggrieved should hold the palace responsible, not a governor who only acted in the best interest of our culture and heritage,” the council concluded.
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