Akeredolu’s widow vows to protect late husband’s legacy, after cenotaph demolition

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, widow of the late Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has expressed deep disappointment over what she described as attempts to undermine her husband’s legacy, following the demolition of a memorial site in Owo.

In an emotional video shared on her Facebook page, Mrs. Akeredolu lamented that despite her husband’s unwavering love and commitment to the people of Owo, those he trusted have turned against his memory after his death. “You loved your people to pieces, but look at what they’ve done to you—they didn’t hesitate to rubbish your memory and legacy,” she said.

She condemned the recent demolition of a cenotaph erected in honour of victims of the 2022 St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church massacre in Owo, describing the act as senseless, disrespectful, and politically motivated. According to her, the monument was a symbolic tribute, not a burial site, meant to immortalize the victims whose bodies were never recovered.

Without mentioning names, Mrs. Akeredolu accused a monarch, whom her late husband supported to ascend the throne, of being part of the effort to erase his legacy. Referring to him as a “baby Oba,” she vowed, “I promise you, as long as I live, they will not succeed in rubbishing you.”

The Ondo State Government, under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, confirmed demolishing the monument, citing a request from the Olowo of Owo’s palace. The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the structure was considered offensive to the town’s culture and tradition due to its proximity to the palace.

The Olowo-in-Council defended the demolition, insisting the late Governor ignored multiple warnings that such a structure violated the community’s traditions. The palace noted that even protests by Owo youths against the cenotaph during its construction were disregarded by the former Governor.

“The palace is vindicated by the overwhelming support from Owo people and commendations on various media platforms supporting the demolition,” the council said in a statement. It added that a comprehensive account of the events leading to the demolition would be made public soon while urging critics to direct their grievances at the palace rather than the Governor.