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.

The High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, the individual accused of killing National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Salome Adaidu, to death by hanging.

According to Channels TV, the presiding judge, Justice Simon Aboki, delivered the verdict on Thursday, finding Ajayi guilty of the brutal murder and dismemberment of the corps member.

Ajayi faced a single charge of “culpable homicide,” an offence under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, which carries the death penalty.

Justice Aboki ruled that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing Ajayi’s responsibility for the horrific act.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is no longer the Waziri Adamawa. He lost the respected title due to a new directive issued by the Adamawa State government. The directive removes traditional titles from individuals who do not originate from the emirates where the titles are based.

Atiku, who was previously the Turaki Adamawa before being elevated to Waziri, is from the Ganye Emirate, which includes his hometown, Jada. The title of Waziri, however, belongs to the Adamawa Emirate.

The Adamawa State government maintained on Wednesday that the former vice president was not specifically targeted by the new policy.

In a circular dated June 20 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs Adama Felicity Mamman, the government stated that the directive is part of a broader restructuring of traditional institutions, following the establishment of seven new emirates and chiefdoms.

The Commissioner of Information, Iliya James, explained that the reform is designed to serve as a guide for various emirates and chiefdoms, aiming to avoid scenarios where outsiders influence their administration.

“When you have kingmakers for a kingdom coming from outside the kingdom to decide who becomes king, you could one day have the king from outside,” the commissioner said.

The Adamawa Emirate, the state’s leading traditional institution, includes several prominent council members who are not originally from the emirate and are affected