••• says “They want to Rubbish His Legacy”
It was a moment of emotional expression on Wednesday as Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, widow of the late Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, visited his mausoleum in Owo.
She expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the recent demolition of a symbolic monument built in memory of victims of the 2022 St. Francis Catholic Church massacre.
In a video posted to her official Facebook page, a visibly distraught Mrs. Akeredolu broke down in tears, condemning what she described as an orchestrated attempt to “rubbish” her husband’s legacy — allegedly spearheaded by the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III and supported by political actors in the state.
“Today, 25/6/25, I was at Aketi’s Mausoleum in Owo. AKETI LIVES ON,” she began, before launching into a powerful rebuke of what she sees as political betrayal and cultural hypocrisy.
Betty Akeredolu recounted the efforts of her late husband to honor the memory of the massacre victims, calling the demolished structure a “symbolic monument” and not a cemetery, contrary to claims made by critics.
“Nobody, no corpse was buried in that place. It was symbolic,” she emphasized, questioning the motives behind the demolition and expressing disbelief at how a community her husband deeply loved could allow such a dishonor to his memory.
She also directed criticism at the Olowo of Owo, who she claimed was installed by her husband, accusing him of hypocrisy.
“He sleeps with the dead — all the Olowos of Owo, where were they buried? Were they not buried in that place he’s living in? Look at the hypocrisy,” she said.
A Symbolic Monument, A Political Flashpoint
The now-demolished monument had stood as a tribute to the dozens killed in the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, an incident that shocked the nation and drew international condemnation. The late Governor Akeredolu had vowed to immortalize the victims — a promise many believed the memorial fulfilled.
The 2022 Owo Massacre: On June 5, 2022, gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, killing over 40 worshippers. The tragedy prompted nationwide mourning, and Akeredolu, then governor, declared it a personal loss.
Akeredolu’s Legacy: Known for his bold stance on regional security and the Amotekun initiative, the former governor was respected across party lines. His legacy, particularly in Owo, was seen as sacrosanct — until recent events suggested otherwise.
Some analysts say the removal of the memorial reflects efforts to erase symbols associated with Akeredolu’s administration.
As the controversy unfolds, many Nigerians — especially from Owo and the broader Yoruba community — are watching closely. For Betty Akeredolu, however, the pain is deeply personal.
“I promise you, so long as I live, they will not succeed. They will not rubbish you. Aketi lives on!” she vowed.
