Ajimobi’s Fidau Prayer: We Didn’t Slight Oyo Deputy Gov, He Gatecrashed – Family

Mr. Bolaji Tunji, spokesperson to late former Governor of Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi, has reacted to reports that the family of the late governor barred the state deputy governor, Rauf Olaniyan from accessing venue of the 8th Day Fidau prayer held in honour of the deceased governor.

Reports says the deputy governor, the Head of Service, Amidst Ololade and the Commissioner for land, Mr Abiodun Abdul-Raheem, had arrived the Oluyole venue of the prayers, but could not gain entrance into the venue of the prayers.

According to one report, security operatives deployed to the venue of the prayer had denied deputy governor, Olaniyan and his convoy access at the entrance, a development which triggered an argument before the vehicles were allowed to go in eventually.

However, after he stepped out of his car and walked towards the main residence, he found out that the gate was locked and all efforts by his aides to convince those in the compound to make way for the deputy governor failed.

The Deputy governor was said to have left the venue disappointed after being stranded for close to 20 minutes, reports say.

But spokesman of the late Ajimobi, Mr Bolaji Tunji in a swift reaction, said that the story being portray in the media was not exactly what happened.

According to him, Oyo state delegation led by Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan reportedly gatecrashed into the venue as the family was not aware that the Deputy Governor would be attending the event neither was there any prior arrival of the deputy governor’s advance protocol team to intimate the family ahead.

He said the event which was planned as a family event held in observance of strict protocol of the NCDC, adding that effort to facilitate the entrance of the deputy Governor proved abortive as soon as the family gets the information on the presence of the Deputy Governor at the Oluyole residence of the deceased governor.

Tunji said in a statement “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.”