Anger, resentment in Ido-Ekiti as slain APC chief is buried

THERE was palpable anger among the wailing Ido-Ekiti crowd as they trooped out in their thousands to pay their last respects to the slain member of the community and All Progressives Congress (APC) chief, Mr. Bunmi Ojo, who was buried on Friday.

Ojo’s burial, apart from shutting down the community, also attracted APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bigwigs in the state as well as representatives of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), which he was a member before his killing on August 10.

All markets in the town were closed for the day while many public offices were also deserted as a mark of honour for the departed politician and community activist.

At the Methodist Church Nigeria, Ido Ekiti where a funeral service was held, while the service was going on, and during the sermon, angry community women and youths sang and rained curses on the killers of Ojo, who had also served as a personal assistant to a former governor of the state, Chief Segun Oni.

The women, mostly elderly, left their heads without cover and some of them wore their clothes inside out, and they sang their tirades and curses throughout the duration of the church service.

In his sermon, the Reverend Olanrewaju Komolafe, lamented that Nigeria was “under attack”, saying “Nigerians are under attack because people die every day, if not through unknown gunmen, it could be through accidents from bad roads or undetected illnesses in ill-equipped hospitals.”

Komolafe, who referred to Ecclesiastes 3:1 said there was time for everything under the planet earth, noting that the late Bunmi Ojo, though died when least expected, had fulfilled the purpose of life.

He charged families, relatives, political parties and acquaintances  present at the event to live a life worthy of emulation just like the late Ojo considering the outpouring of emotions and love for him.

After the service, tears flowed freely as the remains of the late Ojo were taken from the church to its final resting place, with his grieving wife, Adeola; three daughters, Eniola, Feyikemi, Gbemisola and relatives in tow.

Governor Ayodele Fayose was represented at the funeral by his chief of staff, Chief Dipo Aniwulowo. Also at the funeral were the Ekiti State governor-elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi; deputy governor-elect, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi; former Governor Segun Oni and his wife, Kemi and his deputy, Dr Sikiru Tae-Lawal.

Others include Senators Duro Faseyi, Bode Ola, Tony Adeniyi and Ayo Arise a former Minister of State for Works, Dayo Adeyeye;  and chairman of the Ekiti State chapter of APC, Chief Olajide Awe among others.