CATHOLIC CHURCH LIED ON OWO CENOTAPH – ONDO GOVT FIRES BACK. (PHOTO).

 Catholic church lied on Owo cenotaph – Ondo govt fires back

…Says Bishop issued false ultimatum just 48 hours after submitting letter

…The church must live in peace with its host — Govt warns

The Ondo State Government has strongly rejected allegations made by the Catholic Diocese of Ondo over the controversial demolition of the Owo Memorial Park, accusing the Church of deliberately misleading the public and issuing a premature ultimatum without exhausting established dialogue channels.

The statement, issued in response to a public circular signed by Bishop Jude Arogundade, stated that the Diocese submitted a letter to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa on Monday, June 23, 2025, seeking a meeting over the matter but went public with accusations just 48 hours later, on Wednesday, June 25, claiming the government failed to respond within 72 hours.

In a statement issued on Thursday signed by Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the state condemned the Diocese’s approach as irresponsible and misleading, especially in light of the open lines of communication maintained by the governor with all religious institutions since assuming office.

“It is concerning that Bishop Arogundade ignored all other avenues for engagement and instead issued a public statement portraying the government as unresponsive. This misrepresentation appears calculated to stir public emotion and incite unrest,” the statement noted.

Contrary to widespread public belief, the Ondo State Government clarified that it did not carry out the demolition of the cenotaph situated in front of the Olowo’s palace. 

Instead, it explained that the land legally belongs to AgroMore Limited, a company owned by Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, the Olowo of Owo and that the structure was removed following consultations and an agreement with the Olowo-in-Council.

The land had initially been acquired in 2010 by the Olusegun Mimiko administration for road expansion, but in 2021, the Akeredolu administration officially re-allocated it back to AgroMore Limited.

When the cenotaph was later constructed, no record existed showing that the land had been re-revoked or transferred to the Church, creating a procedural and legal vacuum.

“The cenotaph was erected on land that legally did not belong to the Church. It was not officially commissioned, and its presence in front of the palace, styled like a cemetery, was rejected by traditional leaders and the Owo community,” the state added.

The demolition, according to the government, followed months of protest from Owo indigenes and formal complaints from the palace. Though no bodies were buried at the site, the cenotaph displayed the names and symbols of the deceased victims of the June 5, 2022 church massacre, a design deemed culturally offensive in its location.

The statement revealed that the idea of relocating the cenotaph was already being discussed under former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, but the plans were ignored by some government officials during his illness.

Governor Aiyedatiwa revived the process after taking office and instructed the Ministries of Infrastructure, Lands, and the Owo Local Government to re-engage the Olowo-in-Council on a peaceful solution.

The state government disclosed that a new, culturally acceptable site for the memorial would be chosen in agreement with the Church, the Olowo-in-Council, and other stakeholders.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who previously commissioned a memorial within St. Francis Catholic Church while serving as Deputy Governor, reaffirmed his commitment to honouring the massacre victims respectfully.

“This government has never disrespected the victims or the Church. Our actions are based on cultural sensitivities, legal clarity, and respect for communal peace,” the statement said.

The government urged the Diocese to cease politicising the matter and instead embrace sincere dialogue with the host community and the traditional institutions.

Reiterating the government’s role as a mediator, the statement concluded with a firm reminder to the Catholic Diocese: “The Church is part of the Owo community and must live in peace with its host and respect traditional institutions. The government’s duty is to uphold peace, legality, and cultural harmony not to be dragged into manufactured controversies.”