Armoured Personnel Carriers, Armed Security Operatives Take Over Ede As Gov Rauf Aregbesola Attends Isiaka Adeleke’s Fidau Prayer

There was presence of heavily armed security operatives at the premises of Senator Isiaka Adeleke as Governor Rauf Aregbesola, his deputy, Mrs. Titi-Laoye Tomori, and other dignitaries attended the fidau prayer of the late politician.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Lasun Yusuf, was also present at the prayer which attracted other dignitaries including Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.

Aregbesola, however, did not say anything during the programme as the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, delivered the goodwill message on behalf of the state government towards the end of the programme.

Armour personnel carriers and six police patrol vehicles were stationed at the Aisu Junction which is the junction leading to the Ede country home of the deceased.

Armed security operatives were also stationed at different junctions to prevent unwanted guests from gaining entry into the venue.

There were another APC and other patrol vehicles stationed opposite the residence of the deceased.

Armed policemen and overzealous private guards hired prevented journalists and other guests from entering the venue and flogged some of the youths, who struggled to force their ways inside while the elderly ones were shovelled.

Oyinlola while paying tribute to the deceased said Adeleke, who was the first civilian governor and others, who fought for the creation of the state, laid a good foundation for his successors to build on.

He said it would have been difficult for anyone to achieve anything great if Adeleke had not laid a good foundation for the development of the state.

Oyinlola described the death of the former governor as very painful. He said he thought the person, who broke the news to him, had gone mad until he called the owner of the hospital where Adeleke died and the doctor confirmed the sad news.

Akala also said the death of Adeleke came as a rude shock to him and many people. He said Adeleke’s political fame started spreading before Osun was carved out of the old Oyo State.

One of the younger brothers of the deceased, Demola, said he was in Atlanta, United States when the news of his brother was broken to him on the telephone.

He said he was shocked beyond words and that he had to stand as the father of the children of the deceased because there was no family member to console them.

The Chief Imam of Offa, Sheik Muyideen Salmon, urged those spreading the rumours that Adeleke was poisoned to desist.

According to him, the former governor died when it was God’s appointed time for him to leave this world.