The remains of former Oyo Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi have been interred at his Oluyole residence in Ibadan according to Islamic rites.
Ajimobi was buried on Sunday at 10.30 am with strict adherence to coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines.
The late Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was laid to rest privately in the presence of family members and invited clerics.
Ajimobi, aged 70, was confirmed dead at a Lagos-based hospital on Thursday.
The burial rites was performed by Sheikh AbdulGaniy Abubakry, the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, who was supported by a renowned Islamic preacher, Sheikh Muyideen Bello and Alhaji Kunle Sanni, the Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State.
Some dignitaries present at the burial include Sen. Teslim Folarin; Mr Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports and Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the APC governorship candidate in the 2019 general election.
Others were Chief Kola Daisi, Chief Kemi Alao-Akala, wife of former Oyo State Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akala, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, Rep. Shina Peller, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, Mr Olamiju Alao-Akala and some former members of the Ajimobi cabinet
Why we manned Ajimobi’s residence, by Oyo Police
The Oyo State Police Command said the decision to station its men and vehicles at the Agodi GRA residence of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi was to ensure safety of lives and property.
Reports that police operatives took over the residence in the early hours of Sunday.
It was learnt the action was to prevent the family from burying the late Acting National chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Agodi based on litigation on the residence.
A war of word had broken out between Ajimobi’s family and Oyo State Government over the burial site for the late politician.
While the family opted for the Agodi GRA residence, the Government said it was not a good choice because Ajimobi had taken ownership of the residence to court.
But Oyo Command spokesperson, Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi, a Supretendent of Police, said the order to dispatch operatives to the property was from the Police Headquarters, Abuja.
He said presence of policemen was to ensure that hoodlums do not unleash mayhem on important dignitaries that would be attending the burial of the late Governor.
According to Fadeyi: “Today being the day for the burial of the former Governor, Operations order was released from Police headquarters to provide adequate security for dignitaries that will grace the occasion.
“The Police is for protection of lives and properties and will not allow hoodlums to unleash mayhem of important dignitaries.”
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