Emmanuel Ojo, an aide to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, has said former Governor Ibikunle Amosun breached protocol at the funeral of Lucia Onabanjo in Ijebu Ode on Friday.
Mrs Onabanjo, who died on January 11 at the age of 100, was buried at St Sebastian Catholic Cathedral, Ijebu Ode.
She was married to the first civilian governor of Ogun State Olabisi Onabanjo who served from 1979 to 1983.
A mild drama involving Amosun and the secretary to the state government (SSG), Tokunbo Talabi, over seating arrangements has since pitched supporters of the former governor against those of his successor, Abiodun.
A video that has circulated widely on social media shows the moment Amosun’s wife Olufunso arrived at the church service. In the clip, Amosun appeared to ask Talabi to move to another seat, a request the SSG declined.
Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele sat next to Amosun, who was said to have taken a seat reserved for the speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly Oludaisi Elemide.
In a social media post on Saturday, Mr Ojo, senior special assistant on media to Abiodun, said Amosun failed to follow the approved seating plan at the church service.
According to him, the organising committee had labelled and designated seats for dignitaries in line with protocol.
He said the front row was reserved for the deputy governor, the speaker of the House of Assembly and the SSG, in that order.
Ojo added that a separate VIP section in the front row was reserved for former governors, senators and other senior dignitaries.
He said former governor Gbenga Daniel and Senator Iyiola Omisore were seated in that section.
Ojo said Talabi was guided by ushers to his designated seat beside the speaker, in line with the seating arrangement.
He alleged that when Amosun arrived, he proceeded to the seat meant for the speaker, beside the SSG, instead of sitting in the section reserved for former governors and other dignitaries.
Ojo described the action as unnecessary and contrary to established protocol.
“Protocol exists to preserve order and respect for institutions, not individuals. Power is transient, and both past and present office holders must understand and respect these rules, myself included,” he said.
