Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday shut the doors of a church in the faces of his associates and aides during the funeral of his mother-in-law, Mrs Florence Adenekan, who died on April 17, 2020, The PUNCH reports.
Obasanjo was reported to have taken the action to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 protocols on public gatherings.
The aides and associates had joined him at the church for the burial of the mother of one of his wives, Mrs Bola Obasanjo.
Late Adenekan, who died two days before her 90th birthday, was laid to rest on Friday at Isara in the Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, in a statement, said his boss stood in for his wife, who was absent at the ceremony as she was said to be in the United Kingdom and could not make it to the ceremony.
The statement noted that the service took place at the St Peter’s Anglican Church, Diocese of Remo, Isara-Remo, Ogun State, where the former president, according to Akinyemi, personally shut the doors as the service began at about 10am.
He said the service was presided over by the Archbishop of Lagos Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos/Bishop of Remo Diocese, Rev Dr Adesina Fape.
The statement added, “Shortly after the funeral, the interment took place at the church cemetery, with Obasanjo leading family members to carry out the dust-to-dust rites.
“The former president later paid homage to the four traditional rulers at Ode and Isara areas of the local government. The monarchs include Onisara of Isara, Oba Mukaila Olabinjo; the Iraye Remo, Oba Samuel Kalejaiye; the Eleposo Eposo Ode Remo, Oba Albert Mayungbe; and the Alaye Ode, Oba Adetunji Osho.
The Alaye Ode stated that Obasanjo showed he is a “true and respected Yoruba son” by visiting their domains despite being in the area for a personal engagement.
“We shall continue to learn from your wisdom; the people of Ode are proud and appreciate this visit,” the statement quoted him as saying.
