Adeleke: Aregbesola’s Commissioner Nominee Escapes Lynching
Ms. Idia Babalola, commissioner-nominee of Osun State, escaped being lynched by angry crowd who attended the funeral prayer held for Senator Isiaka Adeleke at his country home in Ede.
It took the intervention of Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who also attended the Monday morning prayer, to prevent the restive crowd of sympathisers in Ede from lynching Babalola, a former Special Adviser to Osun State governor.
According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Amosun, Adejuwon Soyinka, “The crowd of sympathisers became restive when Babalola came in for the Islamic prayers ahead of the internment of the two-time senator and first elected governor of Osun State.”
The angry sympathisers demanded that Babalola be made to leave the premises.
The statement further said: “When pleas from dignitaries at the event, including Ondo State governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, failed to persuade the angry crowd, Governor Amosun had to join some other dignitaries in personally shielding the lady and leading her out of the premises.
“After that, the Ogun State governor joined other Muslim faithful to observe the final prayers before the interment of late Senator Adeleke.”
Protests By Youths
It would be recalled that angry youths on Sunday protested the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, alleging that he was poisoned over the state’s 2018 gubernatorial election.
The death of Adeleke sparked a violent protest in Ede with protesters blocking Osogbo/Gbongan road with bon fire.
Adeleke died in the early hours of Sunday at Bikets Hospital, Osogbo, a private hospital, after a protracted ailment.
The late politician popularly called ‘Serubawon’ was aged 62.
The youths at the residence of the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke in Ede on Sunday attacked Tope Alabi, a correspondent of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Osogbo.
The NTA reporter, who was at the residence of the late politician with his cameraman, was attacked by the youths for recording the faces of sympathisers.
The youths, who alleged that the late senator was poisoned, opposed video coverage of the event.
Alabi was assaulted on the head and had to be taken to Osogbo for treatment while his cameraman escaped to a nearby bush.
Adeleke Buried Amidst Tears
Meanwhile, the remains of Adeleke has been buried at his residence in Ede on Monday.
The corpse was brought to the residence from Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, at about 10:46a.m, where the Chief Imam of Ede, Alhaji Moshood Akaje, performed the funeral prayers at about 11:03a.m.
Adeleke’s body was immediately buried after the prayers amidst tears by families, friends and political associates.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and Ibikule Amosun of Ogun were among the dignitaries that attended the burial.
Earlier in his sermon, Alhaji Ibrahim Adekilekun, the Chief Imam of Ansarudeen, Ede, described Adeleke as a man loved by all during his life time.
Adekilekun who noted that death is inevitable for all humans, urged family members not to fight anyone over Adeleke’s death.
Meanwhile, the Osun government has declared a three-day mourning in the state.
This is contained in a statement by Semiu Okanlawon, media aide to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Monday in Osogbo.
“This is in honour of the departed first civilian governor of the State of Osun, Alhaji Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.
“The three-day mourning period commences from Monday, April 24, 2017.
“During the period of mourning, all flags are to fly half mast,” the statement said.
Adeleke, 62, was the senator representing Osun West Senatorial District at the Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before his death on Sunday at a private hospital in Osogbo.
POSTED BY:OPUOMONI PRIYE
DATE:04/25/2017
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