Youths Attack Aregebesola Commissioner Nominee At Senator Adeleke’s Burial

Youths Attack Aregebesola Commissioner Nominee At Senator Adeleke’s Burial

A former special adviser to Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Federal Matters and a nominee for commissionership,  Idia Babalola, escaped death by a whisker when a mob of youths attacked her at the funeral of the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke which was held on Monday at Ede, Osun State.

According to eyewitnesses, everywhere was calm during prayer session held ahead of interment until Mrs. Babalola appeared at the venue. The youths became angry on sighting her because they considered her to be a ‘traitor,’ an eyewitness said.

They wanted the woman to leave immediately because there was a speculation she connived with the opposition to get Adeleke out of the way through food poison, the eyewitness said.

But autopsy has revealed that the deceased died as a result of overdose of painkiller administered on him.

The first civilian governor of Osun State and senator representing Ede West was in the race again for the 2018 governorship election, but had failed to receive the support of the current administration.

According to a source from Abere, the government house of Osun State,  Ogbeni Aregbe is said to be more favorably disposed to his Chief of Staff Adegboyega Oyetola and his former Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Ajibola Bashiru.

And Mrs. Babalola is closer to the governor’s caucus than to the late senator’s, despite the fact that  she was recommended by the senator for the post of special adviser during Aregbesola’s first term.

“So seeing her at the burial where most loyalists of the incumbent governor were absent triggered anger in the supporters of the late senator,” the source said.

Governor Rauf himself did not attend the burial because he is currently in China.

Despite all entreaties from dignitaries, including Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun and his Ondo State counterpart, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu the youths insisted that Mrs. Babalola should leave.  “In fact, they have started stoning her before Amosun and others eventually sheltered and led her out of the premises.
Senator Adeleke died on Sunday and has been buried on Monday, according to Islamic rites.