…Demand an Apology Within 7 Days

As controversy continues over the demolition of the Memorial Park constructed in honour of victims of Owo massacre, a group, Oduduwa Women Advocacy Initiative, has condemned the wife of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Betty, for using derogatory words against the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, while reacting to the demolition.

The President of the group, Erelu Modupe Akindele-Martins, in strong terms, condemned Mrs. Betty Akeredolu for not respecting the traditional stool of Olowo of Owo.

Akindele-Martins, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, expressed her disgust for the stance of wife of the former governor of the state for publicly degrading the sanctity of Owo traditional institution despite the fact that she’s married to an Owo man.

The APC chieftain on Friday said: “In her outburst, Mrs. Akeredolu, who is the wife of former Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and a traditional chief in her own right, failed to recognize the sanctity of the traditional institution and the respect due to our kings – who are the custodians of our culture and heritage.

Erelu Modupe Akindele-Martins, in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure, said: “It is particularly disheartening that Mrs. Akeredolu, a woman of stature who was married to a respected son of the Owo kingdom, would choose to publicly denigrate the throne of our ancestors.

“Her comments regarding the decision of the Olowo-in-Council to relocate the cenotaph in front of the Olowo’s palace are not only disrespectful but also undermined the authority of our traditional institutions.

“Mrs. Akeredolu’s actions appear to stem from a desire for attention rather than genuine concern for the deceased. Her ongoing public disputes since the passing of her husband have raised questions about her commitment to the progress and peace of Ondo State.

“We hereby demand a formal apology from Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, as a wife and member of the Owo kingdom, for her disrespectful remarks towards the Olowo and the traditional institution.

“We expect this apology to be tendered within the next seven days. Failure to comply will result in serious repercussions from the women of Yoruba land, who will not tolerate such affronts to our traditions.

“We also call upon the Olowo of Owo who is the Royal patron of our group to continue to uphold the dignity of his office.

“We urge him to extend his forgiveness to Mrs. Akeredolu while imploring her to show genuine remorse and retract her unfortunate comments within our specified timeline.”

It would be recalled that Mrs. Akeredolu had condemned the demolition of the memorial park, taking on Ondo State government and the Olowo-in-Council over the decision.