THE restriction of Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniya from attending the Fidau prayer of Senator Abiola Ajimobi continues to generate reactions as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it was intentional.
The party in a statement signed by its Oyo State Publicity Secretary, Engr. Hakeem Olatunji, stated that the Fidau prayer was not strictly a family affair as claimed.
Olatunji said, “To the unsuspecting members of the public, kindly disregard All Progressive Congress (APC) Media Team Press Release in its entirety; it wasn’t a private family affair because Otunba Alao Adebayo Akala and many others were there and the family were well informed in advance that the deputy governor would be leading the government delegation to the event.
“It was reported that the security personnel at the gate informed the government delegation that there was an order from Madam not to allow the government delegation into the venue.
“Kudos to His Excellency, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan for displaying a high level of maturity and Omoluabi ethos that he and His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde is known for.
“The more the governor tries to extend hands of friendship, the more they rebuff his good gestures.”
Ajimobi’s family had also on Sunday, through Bolaji Tunji, said in a statement that, ”There is the need to clarify the believed presence of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Mr. 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 10 minutes.”
The former Governor of Oyo State died at the age of 70 from COVID-19 related ailments.
