Oyo State Government Finally Condoles With Ajimobi Family Over Ex-Governor’s Death

The Oyo State Government led by Governor Seyi Makinde of the state has finally sent a condolence letter to the family of the late former governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Ajimobi reportedly died of complications from Coronavirus on Thursday June 25 at the First Cardiology Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos.

In the condolence letter dated 29th June, 2020, entitled “Letter of Condolence” and signed by Governor Seyi Makinde, the state government commiserated with the entire family of former governor Abiola Ajimobi.
The letter was received and acknowledged today, 04/07/2020 by the bereaved family.

“Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the immediate past Governor, lived a life of service to humanity and has contributed immensely to the socioeconomic development of Oyo State in particular and Nigeria in general. I have no doubt he will be missed by all and sundry.

“Our consolations however, is that Senator Abiola Ajimobi has brought his rich wealth of experience for the transformation of the state,” the letter read.

The remains of former governor Ajimobi were laid to rest at his residence, Oluyole Estate on Sunday June 28, 2020 at about 10 a.m.

His burial was attended by prominent Islamic clerics including Kunle Saani, Muideen Bello, and the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Abubakri Abdulganiyu.

The deceased family had alleged that the former governor’s burial was delayed due to the disagreement between the Ajimobi family and the state government.

The family said the state government declined them the access to bury their patriarch in Agodi GRA.

But the Oyo government swiftly countered the claim by the Ajimobi family, saying the allegations were “spread to give the state government a bad name and to play undue politics with the dead.”

“The truth of the matter is that the family, through a proxy, approached the state government and sought approval to bury the late governor on a plot of land at Agodi GRA, which is currently under litigation,” a statement by Taiwo Adisa, the chief press secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, said.

“Incidentally, it was the same former Governor Ajimobi who instituted the legal action,” he said.

“Governor Seyi Makinde had no choice than to state the facts as they are to the emissaries and turn down the request.

“Governor Makinde, however, against the established land use rule in Oyo State, gave approval that the family can bury the late governor in his Oluyole Estate residence.

“It is to be noted that the rules guiding land use in Government Reservation Areas (GRA) forbid the burial of bodies in such locations as Oluyole Estate and Agodi GRA.”

Unconfirmed report also had it that the state government would participate in the 8-day Firdaus prayer for the former governor.