The remains of the chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, were buried on Thursday at his Molete residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

But none of the five PDP governors in the South-West, including the Oyo State governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, was present at the burial.

Alao-Akala had through his Special Adviser on Public Communications, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, urged that the body of the octogenarian and controversial politician should not be buried until he returned from France on Thursday.

But his wife, Oluwakemi, and deputy, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, attended the burial.

Adedibu died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan on Wednesday.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his eldest daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, were, however, present to pay their last respect to the late Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Obasanjo, who patiently waited for 90 minutes before Adedibu’s body was brought from the UCH to the graveside, prayed and sobbed as he touched the corpse.

In the condolence register, he wrote “Erin wo! (The elephant has fallen). This is the end of one glorious and memorable era. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

Obasanjo-Bello wrote, “A great Yoruba man, a great leader of men, a great lover of the masses, may his humble soul rest in peace and may all he left behind prosper.”

They, however, left before the body was interred.

The Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, was represented by his Deputy, Alhaja Salmot Badru; while the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Sikiru Lawal, stood in for Governor Segun Oni.

The Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, sent a delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade.

It is believed that the late octogenarian played a major role in the emergence of most of the PDP governors in the South-West in the 2007 general elections.

Also missing from the crowd of mourners that thronged Adedibu’s residence were national leaders of the PDP, including the National Chairman, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, and the immediate past Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George.

The National Vice-Chairman (South-West) of the party, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, and his predecessor, Chief Yinka Omilani, however led PDP faithful from the region to the burial.

The factional leaders of the PDP, under the aegis of Patriotic Elders Forum, who mounted stiff opposition to the leadership style of the late Adedibu, were also absent from the burial.

Such leaders include Senator Lekan Balogun, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), and Elder Wole Oyelese.

However, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party (South), Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, who is also a member of the PEF, attended the ceremony.

The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr. Moroof Atilola, and a close aide of Adedibu, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, could not hold back tears during the burial.

A brief prayer, led by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Alhaji Suara Busari, preceding the burial, started at 11.28am. The remains of the late politician were interred near his mosque at 11.35am.

Busari described the late politician as a philanthropist who was very free with the poor and the rich.

Other dignitaries at the burial included three former governors of Oyo State – Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, Alhaji Kolapo Ishola and Alhaji Lam Adeshina.

Others were Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao, Chief Kola Daisi, Dr. Olapade Agoro, Senators Teslim Folarin, Brig. Gen. Raji Rasaki (rtd) and Chief Gbenga Babalola.

Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu and his brothers – Akeem and Dauda – were the chief hosts at the occasion, which was also attended by a large crowd that gave the security agents, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ralph Ibeazor, a difficult task to control.

In an interview with journalists, Dauda said that the late politician died without a will.

He ruled out the possibility of any disagreement among the children over his inheritance.

Dauda said, “We are going to rally round our brother, Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu; we cannot quarrel because Baba had provided for all of us before he died.”

Ibadan literarily stood still for the late politician as taxis and motorcycles were prevented from plying the roads as a mark of respect for him.

The state Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, a.k.a Tokyo, had directed the union members to stay off the roads between 6am and 6pm on Thursday.

Residents, who were caught unaware by Tokyo’s directive trekked to their destinations while those who could not do so stayed in their homes.

The Babaloja of Oyo State, Alhaji Bashiru Ladapo, also gave a directive that all markets in the metropolis be closed as a mark of honour for the departed politician.