Sympathisers defied the COVID-19 physical distancing order, on Friday, as loyalists of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi and members of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State besieged the Oluyole Estate residence of the deceased in Ibadan.
Majority of the people had expected that the former Acting Chairman of APC would be buried in Ibadan on Friday.
However, Bolaji Tunji, Media Aide to the late Ajimobi, said the family was deliberating on the burial arrangement.
Ajimobi, who was reportedly positive for COVID-19 few weeks ago, was confirmed dead, on Thursday, at age 70 following a health related complications.
A statement by the Ajimobi family, read, “With great sadness and deep regret, but with total submission to the will of Almighty Allah, we announce the death of our husband, father and grandfather, His Excellency,
Senator Abiola Ajimobi, after a brief illness. Accordingly, funeral details will be announced in due course.” Among the dignitaries who comdoled the Ajimobi family are a legal luminary and politician, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN; Senator Teslim Folarin; Senator Kola Balogun and a former governorship aspirant of the APC in Oyo State, Dr Olusola Ayandele.
Akintola described Ajimobi’s demise as a colossal loss to Nigeria and the black race.
Akintola in a condolence message made available to journalists in Ibadan on Friday by his Personal Assistant, Prince Olumuyiwa Akinbiyi, said the late politician would never be forgotten in history.
It read in parts, “Former governor Ajimobi was a courageous man who traversed many areas of life and impacted positively. After a successful career in the organised private sector, he came into politics with a mission to change the face of democratic governance and he was able to achieve a lot despite many odds which came his way.
“At a time when democracy was heading for the rock in 2006 , when an individual planned to place his personal interest above that of the whole country, Senator Ajimobi was among the courageous federal lawmakers who stood their ground and thwarted the ill-advised third term agenda of the then civilian president.
“This was in addition to his brilliant contributions to legislative activities and robust engagement at the 5th National Assembly.
“Losing such a great man to the cold arms of death at a time when his wealth of experience, renewed passion and candour is needed more indicate a disaster of an unquantifiable magnitude.”
Ayandele said, “Senator Ajimobi was a rare gem who discovered himself from the beginning of his life and he did not miss any opportunity to demonstrate the stuff he was made of.”
