The funeral service of Mrs Sabainah Opawole, mother of Yeye Olufunke Daniel, was disrupted when supporters of Senator Solomon Adeola and Peoples Democratic Party governorship hopeful Ladi Adebutu exchanged slogans on Friday. The service was being held at Ibara Baptist Church in Abeokuta.

Mrs Opawole died about two weeks ago at the age of 93. Governor Dapo Abiodun, former President Olusegun Obasanjo's wife Bola, Senator Adeola, Adebutu, and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, were in attendance.

When Adebutu was invited to pay tribute to the deceased, his supporters began chanting 'Say Lado for 2027' and 'Ogun for Ogun'. The chants were immediately countered by supporters of Senator Adeola, who responded with solidarity songs in support of the senator's 2027 governorship aspiration.

The development briefly disrupted the church service, prompting Senator Daniel to appeal for calm. 'We are here to pay our last respects to my mother-in-law. This is not the appropriate place for political campaigns or slogans,' he told the congregation.

The church service eventually resumed without further interruption.

Senator Gbenga Daniel is a former governor of Ogun State, while Senator Solomon Adeola is a serving senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District. Ladi Adebutu is a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State.

In an effort to manage the tension, Senator Daniel's wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel, stood up and asked both parties to 'let us not turn this moment of grief into a time of politics'.

This clash is a reflection of the increasingly tense atmosphere in Ogun State, where several governorship aspirants are vying for the Peoples Democratic Party's ticket. The party's primary is expected to take place soon.

Mrs Sabainah Opawole's funeral service is a testament to the power of politics to disrupt even the most solemn of occasions.

The funeral service was attended by some of the most influential people in Ogun State, including Governor Dapo Abiodun, former President Olusegun Obasanjo's wife Bola, and Senator Solomon Adeola.

Key Facts

  • Mrs Sabainah Opawole was 93 years old when she passed away.
  • The burial service was held at Ibara Baptist Church in Abeokuta.
  • Governor Dapo Abiodun, former President Olusegun Obasanjo's wife Bola, and Senator Solomon Adeola were in attendance.
  • Adebutu's supporters chanted 'Say Lado for 2027' and 'Ogun for Ogun', while Senator Adeola's supporters responded with solidarity songs.
  • Senator Daniel appealed for calm and asked both parties to 'let us not turn this moment of grief into a time of politics'.

### More context is needed here to understand this specific story

The funeral service of Mrs Opawole was a moment for the people of Abeokuta to come together and pay their last respects. However, the clash between Adebutu and Senator Adeola's supporters highlights the increasingly tense atmosphere in Ogun State, where several governorship aspirants are vying for the Peoples Democratic Party's ticket. The party's primary is expected to take place soon.

'We are here to pay our last respects to my mother-in-law. This is not the appropriate place for political campaigns or slogans,' Senator Daniel told the congregation.

The supporters of both politicians clashed briefly, but Senator Daniel intervened to maintain order.

The burial service was eventually completed without further disruption.

In an interview with journalists, Yeye Olufunke Daniel said: 'We urge both parties to respect the solemnity of the occasion and let us not turn this moment of grief into a time of politics.'

The clash at the funeral service highlights the importance of respecting the feelings of those who have lost loved ones.