The family of the late Chief C.O. Adebayo has formally dissociated itself from comments made by the Archbishop of Kwara Anglican Province, Bishop Israel Amao, during the funeral service of the late statesman held on Saturday at Oke-Onigbin, Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State.
In a statement signed by Mrs. Bukunola Ajayi (née Adebayo) on behalf of the family and made available to DailyLinks, the Adebayo family emphasized that the remarks made by Bishop Amao did not reflect their views and were made without their knowledge or consent.
“We wish to state that those comments do not reflect our views and were made without the family’s knowledge or endorsement, and as such, we distance ourselves from such statements,” the family declared.
The statement described the late Chief Adebayo as a man of peace who respected constituted authority, expressing disappointment that his burial ceremony was used as a platform for controversial remarks.
“Our father was a man of peace who respected the constituted authority, but it is rather unfortunate that his funeral was used as a platform for such remarks,” the statement read.
The family clarified that Bishop Amao’s message did not represent the values of the late elder statesman and that the preacher was neither selected by the family nor consulted before delivering his sermon.
While expressing regret over any discomfort the remarks may have caused to the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Adebayo family reaffirmed its appreciation for the Governor’s support during the funeral activities.
“The Adebayo family deeply regrets any discomfort caused to His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and reaffirms our respect and appreciation for the support extended to our family during the burial ceremony,” the statement added.
The family further dismissed as false and malicious any insinuations that the preacher was chosen to embarrass or undermine the state government, reiterating its commitment to maintaining a cordial relationship with the Kwara State Government under Governor AbdulRazaq’s leadership.
