As Afolabi's Interred, PDP Apologises
Last weekend, the erstwhile Internal Affairs Minister, Chief Sunday Afolabi was laid to rest in his hometown, Iree, Osun State, Ahmed Shittu reports that the PDP apologised for its role in the ironic fate of a man whose political commitment led the party to an unprecedented victory in the South-west geo-political zone
The sleepy town of Iree, the country home of the former Internal Affairs Minister, late Chief Sunday Michael Afolabi was agog last week Saturday when his political associates, friends, children and well-wishers from all walks of life converged on the town to participate in the funeral programme organised to pay their last tribute to the late politician.
The funeral service took place at the main auditorium of the African church, Iree where Christian service was conducted for Afolabi before his remains were committed to mother-earth at his residence, Odo-osan villa, Iree.
As early as 8.00am that day, the town was full of people to catch glimpse of the corpse of the late politician who had coome and to commiserate with the family.
Various groups, traditional dancers, students, politicians and different shades of entertainers were not left out of the programme, at least to add colour to the event.
Also, the 30 local government councils in the state and the ward-chairmen of the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP mounted their various canopies which accommodated their representatives at the venue of the church service.
The weather was so bright as the whole programme went without any hitch.
Armed policemen and state security service officials were on hand to curtail the activities of men of the underworld at the service.
Before 9.30am that day, all the invited guests were seated while the officiating ministers at the church service were also at their various seats waiting for the casket conveying the corpse of the late politician to the church.
At 11.00am, the corpse was brought to the church by MIC Gold, burial undertakers based in Lagos State and escorted by the vehicle of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Prior to the Saturday event in Iree, services of songs had taken place simultaneously in Osogbo and Ibadan.
At Osogbo sports stadium on Friday June 26, 2004, an inter-religious service was held in honour of the late politician where Muslim and Christian clerics prayed for the soul of the deceased to rest in perfect peace.
Also, in Ibadan, Oyo State, a post humous birthday was held for the late Chief Afolabi. A commendation service was held at Lekan Salami Sports stadium, where President Olusegun Obasanjo and other political associates of the deceased extolled his virtues.
However, in his sermon at the funeral service at African church, Iree, the Methodist Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Bishop Rufus Akinsola described the late Chief Afolabi as a good Christian who used his offices to better the lots of the common man in the country.
He said the presence of important personalities in the society at the funeral service of the deceased was a testimony to his love and kindness to the people while alive.
Bishop Akinsola stated that, "we should not be particular about the beginning of ones' life but to work for the end," "adding that, the ends justify the means."
Bishop Akinsola who called on politicians not to use the issue of religion to destabilise the nation's polity, stated that, "we should be able to tolerate one another inrespect of our religious beliefs."
This, he said would go along way to enhane the social well-being of the nation.
Before the late politician was interred the National Chairman of PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh paid his last respect.
Chief Ogbeh, who used the occasion to tender an unreserved apology to the family of late Chief Afolabi for paying a belated condolence to the family stated that, the PDP still hold the former Internal Affairs Minister in high esteem.
He said that, late Chief Afolabi's contributions were enormous to be ignored. Ogbeh, who described late PDP leader as an architect in politics, stated that, he would not be forgotten for taking the Yoruba race to the mainstream of Nigeria politics.
He said that, "what late Chief Afolabi saw 20 years ago was what some people saw in year 2003 with the result of the 2003 general polls which took all the states in the South-west geo-political zone to the mainstream.
While praying God to grant his soul of perfect peace, Ogbeh however declared that, the PDP would not relent in its efforts at ensuring better life for the family of the late politician.
Also in his tribute to the deceased, the state governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola stated that, late Afolabi died as an hero due to the way and manner he discharged his duties and unalloyed commitment to the socio-economic development of the nation.
The governor added that, "as your remains lie here today for burial, we will remember that, you worked tirelessly and diligently, particularly towards the end of your life time as if the future of our great country depends on how successful you achieve your set objectives."
Prince Oyinlola, however prayed for the soul of the late politician to rest in peace.
The spokesman of the Iree community, Chief Adeniyi Aina in his tribute described him as an astute politician who worked day and night to see the oneness of the nation.
He said that, apart from this he had worked well to see that Iree, as a town moves to a greater height by single-handedly attracting a state polytechnic to the community.
This, he stated has put the Iree community in the world map. He added that, "our leader served the country as a minister and brought President Obasanjo to power from 1999 to date.
Chief Aina noted that Afolabi's death would greatly affect politics in Yorubaland, stressing that, "he was the rallying point for politicians in the South-west and even in Osun State politics."
He however declared that "the Yoruba nation cannot be the same again, Yoruba should start looking for another political leader."
After the tribute, the ministers of God that conducted the funeral programme led a procession and the casket containing the corpse of the late politician was taken to his residence at Odo-osan villa where he was interred at about 3.20p.m.
Among personalities that attended the funeral programme at Iree last Saturday were Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, wife of President Obasanjo, Chief (Mrs) Stella Obasanjo, Minister of Internal Affairs, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Mukhtar Shasaro, Minister of State for Agriculture, Alhaji Bashiru Awotirebo, Governor Bonu Haruna of Adamawa State, Governor Rasheed, Ladoja of Oyo State, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, Governor of Gombe, Alhaji Danjuma Goje former Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Jubril Martins Kuye, Alhaji Yekinni Adeojo and Senator Iyiola Omisore.
Others include former Communication Minister, Alhaji Haruna Elewi, former Minister of Defence (Navy), Mrs. Modupe Adelaja, National Deputy Chairman South-west, Chief Olabode George and his counterpart from North-east, Mr. Ahmed Song, Deputy National Chairman (South) PDP, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, Chief Tunde Ponle, Alhaji Khamis Tunde Badmus, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, Deputy governors of Oyo, Ondo and Ogun States, members of Osun State executive council and a host of others.
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