The Catholic Diocese of Ondo has reacted to the demolition of the Memorial Park built in Owo in honour of the victims of the June 5, 2022, massacre at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

The memorial park built by the administration of the late former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, was demolished at the orders of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, following a request by the Olowo of Owo, the paramount ruler of the town, as the location contradicted the town’s culture and tradition.

In a statement signed by the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Jude Arogundade, the Diocese expressed strong condemnation and disappointment over the demolition.

According to the statement, the demolition is a “violation of our common respect for the dignity of life and the memory we share of our 41 brothers and sisters who were unjustly killed.

“Memorial Park was established by the State Government as a neutral and communal space for remembrance, reflection, and communal healing after the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack.

“The site was legitimately acquired and developed by the State Government and publicly designated as a Memorial Park for honoring the victims. It was commissioned and blessed by the state government and the Church, respectively.”

In a related development, the widow of the late former governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, condemned the demolition of the Memorial Park.

In a video posted on her official Facebook page, Mrs. Akeredolu expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the demolition, which she described as an attempt to “rubbish” her husband’s legacy.

She criticized the Olowo of Owo, accusing him of hypocrisy and questioning the motives behind the demolition.

Mrs. Akeredolu claimed the Olowo of Owo had been installed by her husband and questioned why he would allow such a dishonour to his memory.

Since the demolition of the memorial park last weekend, there have been divergent views on it.

While some are of the view that it contradicts tradition, others believe that it was a deliberate act to undermine the legacy of the late Akeredolu’s administration.