Rauf Olaniyan, deputy governor of Oyo state, was earlier today denied access to the Fidau, a prayer for the deceased who was a Muslim till death, of A
Rauf Olaniyan, deputy governor of Oyo state, was earlier today denied access to the Fidau, a prayer for the deceased who was a Muslim till death, of Abiola Ajimobi, a former governor of the state who died of COVID-19 complications at a hospital in Lagos last month.
The security operatives had first stopped the deputy governor’s convoy at the entrance where an argument ensued and the vehicles were allowed to go in eventually. But when Olaniyan stepped out of the car and walked towards the main residence, he found out that the gate was locked.
His aides had made efforts to convince those in the compound to make way for the deputy governor but that did not happen. Olaniyan had to leave after being stranded for close to 20 minutes.
But the media aide to the late former governor, Bolaji Tunji attempted to defend the Ajimobi family for refusing the deputy governor entry, saying that the family was not aware that he would be coming and that the Fidau prayer was strictly a family affair.
Tunji in a press statement on Sunday apologized to the Deputy Governor. He said: “There is the need to clarify the believed presence of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan at the 8th day prayer of HE Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the immediate past Governor of Oyo State.
“The Deputy Governor arrived after the prayer had started. The event was strictly a family affair. There was a need to comply with the Covid-19 protocol as established by NCDC- Social distancing, not more than 30 people in a place and 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.
“By the time we got to the gate to usher him into the sitting room, he had left. Everything happened within a spate of 10mins. 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 however apologise to his Excellency.”
This is not the first time the deputy governor has been humiliated by the Ajimobi family. Last week when he led a delegation of the state government to the Oluyole, Ibadan residence of the late former governor, the widow accused him and Seyi Makinde, the governor, of playing politics with her husband’s death. She said neither him nor the governor placed calls across to her when Ajimobi was sick.
Olaniyan had responded that his calls were unanswered but Ajimobi’s wife was not still satisfied, saying he ought to have sent a text message.
