Mrs Florence Ajimobi, wafe of late Abiola Ajimobi allegedly refused entry to the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Raufu Olaniyan to attend her husbands Fidau.
The FIDAU is an arabic word which means ‘Redemption’ in English language. It is the most popular word used in the South Western part of Nigeria (the Yoruba muslims), which is synonymous to burial or funeral rites in Islam. It is specially for the repose of soul.
According to the scholars, the customary ’40 days prayers’ that is done after someone has passed away is a repulsive innovation (Bid’ahQabeeha) and therefore, not permissible. Hence, it will not be permissible to be a part of this.
Rauf Olaniyan, was denied access to the Fidau prayer of the former governor of the state who died of COVID-19 complications at a hospital in Lagos last month.
Olaniyan led a delegation to the eighth day prayer for Ajimobi and was denied access to the compound.
Security operatives had first stopped the deputy governor’s convoy at the entrance where an argument ensued and the vehicles were allowed to go in eventually.
They insisted that only the deputy governor’s vehicle could be allowed into the street to join the prayer.
But when Olaniyan stepped out of the car and walked towards the main residence (the Oluyole residence) he found out that the gate was locked.
His aides had made efforts to convince those in the compound to make way for the deputy governor but that did not happen instead they were told that the gate had been locked and that Mrs Ajimobi was in possession of the key.
Olaniyan waited, believing that the issue would be sorted in no time.
Olaniyan had to leave after being stranded for close to 20 minutes after arriving the residence at about 11:20am in a convoy of five vehicles.
He left after making frantic calls to people believed to be close to the family.
Wife of the late former governor opened the floodgate of allegations when she accused the state government led by Seyi Makinde of neglecting her family at a critical time.
At the time of the visit, she alleged that the government had not commiserated with her on the death of her husband.
She also confronted the deputy governor, who was in company with governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Umar Ganduje of Kano State among others, for not calling her on phone to condole with the family, an accusation the deputy governor disputed.
Meanwhile, in a rapid defence, the family’s spokesman Bolaji Tunji has disclosed reasons why police prevented the state delegation led by Governor Seyi Makinde’s deputy governor, Engr. Raufu Olaniyan, from attending the 8th day Fidau prayers for the deceased.
Bolaji Tunji stated in a video that the Deputy Governor was prevented from entering because the event was “was strictly a family affair and that “No one was aware that the Deputy Governor was coming.”
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.
Thank you.
Bolaji Tunji
