Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on Monday prevented a restive crowd of sympathisers at the Ede, Osun State country home of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, from attacking a former special adviser to Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, Idia Babalola.
Ruckus started when the mourners sighted Ms Babalola as she came in for the Islamic prayers ahead of the internment of the two-time senator and first elected governor of Osun State.
The sympathisers, most of whom were youths, were angered by the presence of the commissioner-nominee who they claimed was being groomed to become the running mate of Aregbesola’s anointed candidate for the 2018 Osun governorship election.
Adeleke, it is believed, was also making plans to contest the election before he died on Sunday.
Despite interventions from the deceased’s family members, the youths remained adamant and demanded that Babalola should leave.
The situation soon degenerated into a shouting affair with the crowd threatening to attack the hapless woman.
A statement by Senior Special Assistant (Media), to the Ogun State Governor, Adejuwon Soyinka, stated, “When pleas from dignitaries at the event, including Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, failed to persuade the angry crowd, 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.”
Adeleke purportedly died of an overdose of painkillers.
To honour him, the Osun State Government on Monday declared a three-day mourning period.
The National Assembly paid tribute to him on Tuesday by observing a minute silence after which it suspended plenary session.
Adeleke died on Sunday and was buried on Monday morning according to Islamic rites.
