- Spokesperson Says ‘It Was A Strictly Family Affair’
By Kolawole Ojebisi
The frosty relationship between the family of the immediate past governor of Oyo state, the late Abiola Ajimobi, and the current Seyi Makinde-led administration took a new twist on Sunday at the Oluyole, Ibadan residence of the former governor.
A mild drama ensued when the state deputy governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan was denied access to the eighth day Firdaus prayers being held in the compound of the deceased politician.
The family had announced the Fidau prayer as a private programme, urging the public to watch through virtual channels including Zoom, YouTube and Facebook.
Olaniyan arrived the residence at about 11:20 am in a convoy of five vehicles. On getting to the gate of the road leading to Ajimobi’s residence, the convoy was stopped by policemen and members of other security agencies manning the gate. They insisted that only the deputy governor’s vehicle could be allowed to enter the street to join the prayer.
The deputy governor’s security details initially rebuffed the idea but when their argument became intense, a senior policeman intervened and they eventually agreed that only the deputy governor’s vehicle should go in.
But on getting to Ajimobi’s house, the gate was also locked. The deputy governor’s aides introduced their principal but they were told that the gate had been locked, and that Mrs Ajimobi was in possession of the key. Olaniyan waited, believing that the issue would be sorted in no time.
After waiting for about 15 minutes, however, without any positive development, Olaniyan left the residence.
This is coming barely a day after the Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde wrote a condolence message to the Ajimobi’s family, eight days after his predecessor’s death.
The governor also promised to bury the hatchet by sending delegation to the Firdaus prayers for the late Ajimobi in his residence. He also added that the state government will join the family of the late governor to plan the Firdaus prayers.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson to Senator Ajimobi, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, has issued a press statement on behalf of the Ajimobi family to address the incident.
He said the deputy governor breached protocol by not sending an official message ahead of his advance team to the Ajimobi family to notify them of his coming, stressing that ”the event was strictly a family affair.”
The statement read in part, “The Deputy Governor arrived after the prayer had started. The event was strictly a family affair.
“There was a need a to comply with the COVID-19 protocol as established by NCDC– social distancing, not more than 30 people in a place and the seats arranged, accordingly. After which the gate was shut.
“No one was aware that the deputy governor was coming as neither the advance team nor the protocol informed us.”
The spokesperson added that everything happened quickly and couldn’t be stopped. He, however, said efforts were made to get in touch with the deputy governor but it was too late as he had left.
“By the time we got to the gate to usher him into the sitting room, he had left. Everything happened within a spate of 10 minutes.
“Through a serving Senator and a former Attorney General we tried to get in touch with him that it was not to slight him and he could sit in a private sitting room provided by the family. Unfortunately, he had left. We apologise to his Excellency,” the statement concluded
The delegation of the Oyo state government was reportedly led by the deputy governor, Olaniyan. Also, some top officials of the state were part of the delegation.
