Palace sought demolition of Owo memorial park, says Olowo-in-Council

The Olowo-In-Council has said the demolition of Owo Memorial Park by the Ondo state government was at the instance of the Olowo of Owo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, and the entire people of the kingdom.

The Council made this assertion in a statement posted on the Facebook page of Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III on Monday, in view of the public reactions generated by the demolition of the memorial park supposedly built in honour of the June 5th, 2022 attack victims at St Francis Catholic church in Owo.

It said the decision to site the structure in the location was resisted by the Olowo-in-Council and frowned upon by the people of the community when it was conceived by the government of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

The Olowo-In-Council added “All advice to the late Governor that celebrating the dead in any guise around the palace is not in conformity with the age-long culture and traditions of Owo was defiantly dismissed. Even at a time a protest was made by concerned Owo youths and stakeholders to that effect which the then Governor disregarded.

” The above position of the palace is vindicated by the enthusiasm shown by Owo people and the deluge of commendation across sundry media platforms in support of the demolition.

“The Olowo-in-Council will soon come out to avail the public with the comprehensive details of all that happened before and during the construction of the structure which led to the current development. And before then, we advise anyone with any issues whatsoever against the demolition to make the palace their target and not the listening Governor, Hon. (Dr.) Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who is not in anyway responsible for the demolition”.