Engr. Remi Olaniyan, the Oyo state deputy governor has justified Mrs. Florence Ajimobi’s outburst against him during her husband’s funeral, explaining that the former first lady’s reaction was as a result of her grief, saying that “nobody can fully understand the enormity of that grief except you are in her shoes”.
The deputy governor also added that the burial of late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi was not enough to cause any disagreement between him and the former first lady, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, disclosing that the relationship is now robust.
Addressing the leadership of the South West Group of Online Publishers, SWEGOP, who paid him a sallah visit at his Ibadan home on Saturday emphasized that there was nothing the ex-first lady did that she needs to apologize for.
“Mrs Ajimobi did not offend me in the first place. She was grieving at the time and in that state could do anything that is considered abnormal. So, I understand fully. I did not feel offended by the two incidents.
“We have spoken after that and we have moved on. She was grieving and nobody can fully understand the enormity of that grief except you are in her shoes. And I pray God Almighty not to allow us taste that grief. So there is nothing she did that she needs to apologize for.”
It will be recalled that Mrs. Ajimobi, who lost her husband last month, had earlier expressed disappointment with the deputy governor when he visited the late former Governor Ajimobi’s Oluyole residence to commiserate with her. The former first lady alleged that neither Governor Seyi Makinde nor his deputy called to commiserate with her, despite her husband serving the state for eight years.
In a similar development, on the day of burial, Olaniyan’s delegation was also denied access to the venue. The security at the gate told him that the gate key was with Mrs Ajimobi who was at the funeral site.
Speaking further, Olaniyan submitted, “When I saw the behaviour of the men around the house that day, I told my security aides that nobody must touch anybody. I said they must keep their heads when others are losing theirs. We must keep our omoluabi ethos in all situations. That’s the first requirement in politics. Then, you load yourself with patience”.
