BREAKING: Makinde’s Deputy, Commissioners barred from attending Ajimobi’s Fidaus prayer

Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, Deputy Governor to Engineer Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and two commissioners in the state have been prevented from attending the eight (8) day Fidau prayer (prayer for deceased) for the immediate past Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
Fidelis Chidi Blog recalls that Ajimobi who died in Lagos was buried last Sunday at his Oluyole Ibadan residence.

Our correspondent recalls that both the state government led by Makinde and Ajimobi’s family had been at loggerheads since the demise of Makinde’s predecessor.
But, a delegation of Oyo State government led by Olaniyan, Barristers Abiodun Abdul-Raheem and Seun Ashamu, commissioners for land and energy respectively were turned back from entering the Oluyole residence of Ajimobi, venue of the 8th day Fidau prayer for the deceased.

Security details attached to the venue were said to have resisted their efforts to enter the venue, as they almost engaged in open confrontation with security details attached to Olaniyan.

Olaniyan, Abdul-Raheem and Ashamu, left after making frantic calls to people believed to be close to the family.
Omolere Omoetan, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor confirmed the development to us
Omoetan in a conversation with us on Sunday, said, “Very correct. He was not allowed in. Security details at the gate said, ” Madam is with the key to the gate”.

Reacting, a spokesman for Ajimobi's family said they were not informed that the deputy governor was coming.

The press statement, signed by Bolaji Tunji on behalf of the Ajimobi family, reads: "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.

"1. The Deputy Governor arrived after the prayer had started. The event was strictly a family affair.

"2. 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.

"3. No one was aware that the Deputy Governor was coming as neither the advance team nor the protocol informed us.

"4. 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.

"5. 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.

"Thank you."