Supporters, political associates, friends and well-wishers thronged the Ibadan residence of late former governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Friday, hoping to pay their last respect, only to be told that the burial had been rescheduled.
Following Ajimobi’s death on Thursday, the information that the former governor will be buried on Friday at his Oluyole, Ibadan residence in accordance with Islamic rites had gone viral.
However, this information was invalidated on Friday morning, with Ajimobi’s media aide, Mr Bolaji Tunji stating that funeral details will be announced later.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, Tunji pointed out that Ajimobi will be given a private burial with family members in attendance.
This, he said, was so that the burial can be done in compliance with COVID-19 protocols of social distancing, use of facemask.
Though Tunji did not specifically give a day of the burial, various sources stated that the burial will be done on Saturday.
“With deep sadness and deep regret but in total submission to the will of the Almighty Allah, we announce the transition of His Excellency, Senator Ishaq Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi which sad event occurred after a brief illness on Thursday, June 25, 2020. He was aged 70 years. Funeral details will be announced later.
“Burial will be strictly a family affair in line with existing safety protocol and will not hold today, Friday,” Tunji wrote in a statement.
Among callers at late governor’s residence was his deputy, Mr Moses Adeyemo who described the loss of his boss as a tragedy to the All Progressive Congress (APC), Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
He described as noteworthy Ajimobi’s intelligence and resoluteness in doing whatever his mind is set on.
Also speaking, former Caretaker Chairman, Oluyole Local Government, Mr Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye decried the loss of a brilliant leader, a charismatic and intelligent individual and the only pillar of the Oyo APC.
Former Head of Service, Mr Soji Eniade eulogized the former governor for being passionate about the socioeconomic development of Oyo State.
Secretary of the Oyo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Mojeed Olaoya said Ajimobi’s loss had created a big vacuum in the party.
One of Ajimobi’s former Commissioner and late Arisekola son, Alhaji Umar Farouk Arisekola-Alao described the late Ajimobi as irreplaceable in the politics of Oyo State, a mentor, a leader and father of modern of Oyo State.
Former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaj Abdul Jelili Oyewale Adesiyan described the death of Senator Ajimobi as untimely saying it is an unfortunate death to the APC, his loyalist and admirers within and outside Oyo State.