Oyo Deputy Governor locked out of Ajimobi's 8th day Fidau prayer

Reports say the state's Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, was denied access to the eighth-day Fidau prayers holding in the compound.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and the family of Ajimobi, who is his predecessor, have been on a warpath of some sorts for quite some time.

Former Oyo Gov. Abiola Ajimobi died on June 25, 2020 from coronavirus complications [The Nation] Pulse Nigeria

Ajimobi died from COVID-19 complications on June 25, 2020, aged 70.

However, days after his death, there was still some controversy over his resting place, with the Oyo government telling his family that he couldn't be buried on a piece of land of their choosing because the said land was the subject of litigation.

Ajimobi's widow, Florence, would later snap at Deputy Governor Olaniyan in her living room after her husband was buried on Sunday, June 28, 2020, asking him why the governor of a state her husband served for eight years, didn't deem it fit to call or send a condolence text message to the bereaved family.

“The governor of Oyo state never called me. He never signed a condolence message. Never called even when my husband was on sick bed for one month. What politics are you playing, please?", Mrs. Ajimobi had asked.

Access denied for a deputy governor

Porscheclassy reports that the Ajimobi family had announced that the Fidau prayer was going to be a private affair, with the public urged to follow proceedings through virtual online channels.

Olaniyan arrived at the Ajimobi neighborhood at about 11:20 am in a convoy of five vehicles.

The convoy was however stopped by police officers and members of other security agencies.

The officers insisted that only the deputy governor’s car was going to be allowed into the street to join the prayer.

The deputy governor’s security personnel initially rejected the idea. However, "when their argument was degenerating, a senior policeman intervened and they eventually agreed that only the deputy governor’s vehicle should go in.

Olaniyan is Oyo Deputy Governor (OyoInsight) Olaniyan is Oyo Deputy Governor (OyoInsight) Pulse Nigeria

"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."

Ajimobi's spokesperson responds

In a statement sent to Pulse, Ajimobi's spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji, said the deputy governor arrived late for the event.

He also said the event was strictly a family affair.

"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 statement reads.

"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.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos (Left) pays condolence visit to Florence Ajimobi (OyoGist) Pulse Nigeria

"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," Tunji offered.

Ajimobi was a senator from 2003 to 2007.

He was governor of Oyo state from 2011 to 2019. He was the first Oyo governor to serve two terms.