Posted by From Josephine Lohor in Abuja on
Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, yesterday said President Olusegun Obasanjo and his late wife, Stella wanted to live together forever.
Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, yesterday said President Olusegun Obasanjo and his late wife, Stella wanted to live together forever.
He said this informed the decision of elders of Iruekpen, Ekpoma, the First Lady's hometown in Esan West Local Government of Edo State, to grant her request that she be buried at her husband's place in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Tradition requires that an Ishan daughter must be buried at home and not in her husband's place.
'Yes, it is our tradition and custom (not to allow our daughters to be buried outside). There was a delegation from Obasanjo to Edo State and I was part of it. That tradition has been waived. Stella has the blessings of our people that she be buried in Abeokuta and that was her wish.
禅hey want to live together for forever and we cannot stop that from happening", Anenih told the congregation at the service of songs in honour of the First Lady at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.
Anenih, who represented Obasanjo at the service of songs said that the Abebe family has given its blessings that she be buried in Abeokuta, just as Stella had requested.
He said Obasanjo deserves commendation because 'it is not every husband that would have the courage to do what he has been doing for the past four days. Again, that shows you what Mr. President is made of."
He thanked everyone for the 'spontaneous solidarity we have been receiving and the sacrifice all of you have made", adding that this was the 'second time that I am witnessing a situation where all Nigerians showed solidarity. The first time was when all General Murtala Mohammed (former military leader) was assassinated".
The service of songs was attended by the Cross River State Governor Donald Duke and wife Onari, Rivers State Governor Peter Odili and wife Mary, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Senate President Ken Nnamani, House deputy Speaker Austin Opara, Senators Tunde Ogbeha and Arthur Nzeribe and ministers, among others.
The Bible readings were taken from 1 Corinthians 15:12-26 and Revelation 7:9-17. The corpse of the First Lady leaves Abuja for Abeokuta today for lying-in-state at Agbe L'Oba House.