Gov Aregbesola in a handshake
Security was tight at the premises of the late Isiaka Adeleke in Ede as Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his deputy. Mrs. Titi-Laoye Tomori; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Lasun Yusuf; and other dignitaries attended the fidau of the late politician.
Others dignitaries at the ceremony were a former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and a former Governor of Oyo State, 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 at the solemn event.
A few Armour Personnel Carriers and six police patrol vehicles were stationed at the Aisu Junction, the junction leading to the Ede country home of the deceased.
Armed security operatives were also stationed at major locations in Ede to prevent unwanted guests from gaining entry into the venue.
Armed policemen and overzealous private guards prevented journalists and other guests from entering the venue and some of the youth, who forced their way inside the premises, were flogged while the elderly ones were shovelled.
Oyinlola, while paying tribute to the late Senator, said Adeleke, who was the first civilian governor of Osun State, 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 ex-governor as very painful.
He explained that he thought the person, who broke the news to him, had gone mad until the medical director of the hospital, where Adeleke died, confirmed the sad news.
Akala, in his tribute, stated that the death of Adeleke came as a rude shock to him and many other 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 the United States when the news of his brother was broken to him on the telephone.
He noted that he was shocked beyond words, adding that he had to stand as the father for the children of the deceased because there was no family member to console them.
The Chief Imam of Ofa, Sheik Muyideeen 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.
Salmon stated, “Adeleke’s death is painful to so many people because of so many reasons.
“So many people will miss Adeleke’s kindness during the Ramadan; many will miss him when it is time to collect what he had been giving them. The Timi of Ede was devastated by Adeleke’s death because it was a prominent son of Edeland who died.
An Islamic scholar, Sheik Mihammed Sheu, aligned with the view of Salmon that Adeleke was not poisoned, saying his death came from God.
Credit Punch
