There was a mild drama on Sunday at the Oluyole, Ibadan residence of the former governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, when the state deputy governor Rauf Olaniyan was denied access to the eighth day fidau prayers holding in the compound.
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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 into the street to join the prayer.
The deputy governor’s security details initially rebuffed the idea but when their argument was degenerating, 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.
Meanwhile, the family of the late governor of Oyo State, Ajimobi, has reacted to the perceived non-admittance of the state Deputy Governor, Olaniyan, and his delegation into the premises of the late governor for the eighth day fidau prayers.
In a statement by the later governor’s Special Adviser, Media, Bolaji Tunji, the family said: “The event was announced as strictly a family affair. However, some dignitaries arrived for the event prior to the commencement of the prayers and were permitted entry.
“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.
“Once we reached capacity, the gate was locked.
“No one was aware that the deputy governor was coming as neither the advance team nor the protocol informed us.
“The deputy governor arrived after the prayers had started and once the protocol team was informed they proceeded to the gate.
“By the time we got to the gate to usher him into the sitting room, he had left. Everything happened within a few 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 however apologise to his Excellency.”
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