The issue surrounding the demolition of the Cenotaph constructed by the late Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), in memory of the victims of the 2022 St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church attack in Owo, has taken a new turn as his widow, Dr. Betty Akeredolu-Anyanwu, reignited the controversy.
During a visit to her late husband’s grave in Owo on Tuesday, the former first lady referred to the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, as a “baby oba”.
The Guardian reports that the monarch, who is of first-class status, also serves as Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas.
In a three-minute, 16-second video posted on her official social media platforms, the former first lady is seen speaking with emotion at the graveside.
Visibly emotional, she accused the traditional ruler of dishonoring her husband’s memory, alleging that the people of Owo had undone the progress they built together.
She further claimed that her husband had single-handedly appointed the monarch during his time in office.
Her words: “Darling, I’ve always known you to love your people to pieces; this is your Owo people. But look at what they’ve done to you. They didn’t blink an eye at rubbishing you, rubbishing your memory, rubbishing your legacy.
“As they claim, spearheaded by the Olowo of Owo, whom you single-handedly installed…. this is a known fact. It’s no longer a secret. You single-handedly installed that baby Oba.”
She also referred to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as an “enabler”, asserting that the demolition was politically motivated.
According to her, no bodies were interred at the Cenotaph, emphasizing that the structure was purely symbolic.
The monument, situated in front of the Olowo’s palace, was taken down after objections were raised by the palace.
Some residents argued that having a structure associated with death near the palace contravened longstanding cultural traditions in Owo.
However, Akeredolu-Anyanwu rejected such claims, stating that “the Oba that doesn’t want so-called cemetery, but that’s not a cemetery. There’s one behind his house. He sleeps with the dead. All the Olowos of Owo, where were they buried? Were they not buried in that place he’s living? Look at the hypocrisy!”
She pledged to continue defending and preserving her late husband’s legacy.
