Mr Bolaji Tunji, spokesperson to late Senator Abiola Ajimobi has explained why the deputy governor of Oyo state was denied entry at the 8th Day Fidau prayer in honour of the deceased governor.
The Oyo delegation led by Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, the Head of Service, Mrs Amidat Agboola and the Commissioner for land, Mr Abiodun Abdul-Raheem, had arrived the Oluyole venue of the prayers but could not gain access to the venue.
But, Tunji said the family was not aware that the deputy governor would be attending the event or was there advance protocol team to intimate the family.
He said the event was planned as a family affair, in observance of strict protocol of the NCDC, adding that, effort to facilitate the entrance of the deputy governor proved abortive as soon as the family got the information.
Tunji said in a statement “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 10 minutes.
“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.”
