We Didn’t Block Oyo Deputy Governor From Fidau Prayers, Says Ajimobi’s Family

OLUWATOBI EMMANUEL

The family of the late Abiola Ajimobi, a former governor of Oyo state, has issued a statement on the widely reported blockage of Oyo state Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, from attending Fidau prayers held for the late politician on Sunday morning.

Ajimobi’s spokesman, Bolaji Tunji disclosed that the family was not aware that Olaniyan would be coming. 

“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 His Excellency 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 10 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,” the statement said.