Spokesperson to late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Mr Bolaji Tunji explained the incident from the family’s point of view as regards the 8th Day Fidau prayer held in honor the deceased governor.
The Oyo state delegation led by Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, the Head of Service, Amidst Ololade and the Commissioner for land, Mr Abiodun Abdul-Raheem, on arriving the Oluyole venue of the prayers, were not allowed to enter.
Mr Tunji explained that the family was not in the know of the Deputy Governor’s attendance at the event neither was there any prior arrival of the deputy governor’s advance protocol team to intimate the family ahead.
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.”
