Ajimobi’s Family Speaks On Fidau Snub As Deputy Governor Narrates How He Was Blocked

The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan, has opened up on how he and some officials were barred from entering the venue of the eighth-day Islamic prayer, Fidau, for the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi.

This was as the Ajimobi family explained that Olaniyan did not inform them of his intention to attend the Fidau organised for the deceased politician, stressing that the event was strictly a family affair. Fidau is a prayer for the deceased who was a Muslim till death.

Ajimobi, who died of COVID-19 complications, was buried last week. A delegation of the Oyo State Government led by Olaniyan, including the commissioner for land, Abiodun Abdul-Raheem, and his energy counterpart, Seun Ashamu, were turned back from entering the venue of the prayer at the Oluyole residence of late Ajimobi on Sunday.

Security officials at the venue resisted efforts by Olaniyan to enter and almost engaged in open confrontation with security details attached to him. After being stranded for almost 20 minutes and making frantic calls to persons believed to close to the family, Olaniyan and the two commissioners left the venue.

Shortly after, the family through a statement issued by their spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji, explained that the Oyo State delegation arrived late and that the prayer was done in line with COVID-19 protocol which is against large gatherings.

Tunji, the media aide of the late Ajimobi, 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 inform 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 10 mins.

“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.”

But the Deputy Governor, in a statement made available to journalists last night by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Omolere Omoetan, narrated his version of the event, insisting that the decision to bar him from entering the venue was premeditated.

He also frowned at what he called the unprofessional conduct of some police officers at the venue of the prayer.

According to Olaniyan, “Again, some members and aides of the former Oyo State governor Abiola Ajimobi continues to rebuff the hand of fellowship extended to the family of the late Governor by the government of Oyo State led by His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

“Today at the 8th day Fidau Prayers of the former Governor Oyo State Isaika Ajimobi, the Deputy Governor, Engr Rauf Olaniyan, was denied access to the venue of the event.

“The Deputy governor who led the government delegation comprising himself and some commissioners, on the approval of the governor, was kept waiting at the gate for over 15 minutes. Even when security men at the gate went in to tell them he was at the gate, no directive came back to grant his Excellency access.

“At a point, the security personnel in uniform and mufti at the gates became very hostile and the ADC to the Deputy Governor was manhandled by men of the police force. It was at this point that the Deputy Governor decided to leave the scene that was becoming tense and wait in his car.

“Having waited for a while to see if the situation would change to no avail, he proceeded to take his leave.

“It should be noted that the Deputy Governor put a call through to Alhaji Kunle Sanni, Chairman of Oyo State Muslim Council, who was among the officiating ministers, that he was at the gate and was being denied entrance. Alhaji Sanni responded that his hands were tied. This is clear indication that what transpired was premeditated.

“There was no truth in the family saying they were not aware that the state government delegation was at the gate because Mr Bolaji Tunji was severally called by men of Civil defence at the gate.

“Even if the Deputy Governor arrived when the prayers had started, it is a well known fact in Islam that when prayers are on-going and a male walks in, it’s an indication that the prayers have received Allah’s acceptance.

“However, Engr Raufu Olaniyan wishes to re-iterate that the visit of the government delegation to the 8th day Fidau Prayers of His Excellency Senator Isaika Ajimobi was a clear demonstration on the part of His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde, that the late Governor is held in high regard. He stated that it was only fitting for the state government to show respect to the late governor at the Fidau prayers held in his honour.

“The Deputy Governor also wishes to put it on record that despite the way he was treated by the Ajimobi family, which he refuses to hold personal, has displayed maturity is prerequisite of the public office at this level. He holds no grudges and he will continue to pray that Allah grants the departed former Governor Al-Jana Firdaus.

“Engr. Raufu Olaniyan will also like to draw the attention of the Oyo state Commissioner of Police to the highly unprofessional and unruly conduct of the police personnel at the premises.”