IBADAN, the Oyo State capital literally stood still yesterday as the remains of controversial Ibadan politician and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Alhaji Lamidi Ariyibi Akanji Adedibu, was interred at his Molete residence.

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Thousands of sympathisers, including his close associates, politicians, religious leaders, industry chiefs and his teeming supporters, fought back tears as his body was lowered into the grave at 11.35 a. m. after a brief prayer conducted by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheik Busari Haruna.

Adedibu died on Wednesday at the University College Hospital (UCH) after he slumped at the immigration office in Agodi.

Aged 80, the controversial politician died of diabetes related ailment. He was however buried in the absence of his political son, Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala who was in France with President Umaru Yar'Adua.

Alao-Akala had initially said he would cut short his trip to return for the funeral rites but could not make it although his aides and the government team were all in attendance.

Notable Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his daughter, Iyabo, PDP Chairman in the South-West, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo and his predecessor, Senator Yinka Omilani, Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, Senator Gbenga Babalola, former Governors Lam Adesina, Kolapo Ishola, Omololu Olunloyo as well as former Military Administrator of the state, Brig.-Gen. Raji Rasaki (rtd) were among the early callers at the Molete home of the deceased who came to pay homage to him.

Oyo State Deputy Governor, Taofeek Arapaja led the state government delegation which included the Secretary to the state Government, Olayiwola Olakojo, Chief of Staff, Saka Balogun, as well as members of the executive council.

Also on hand was the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Moruf Atilola, who led the legislators while the 33 local government council chairmen were also visible at the scene.

Although the burial was fixed for noon, sympathisers started trooping into the sprawling residence as early as 7.00 a.m. and by 9.00 a.m., the whole area was blocked.

Earlier, the state transport union led by a close aide of the late politician, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a Tokyo), had directed its members to withdraw their services in honour of the PDP chieftain while markets in the capital city were also shut as a mark of respect.

All adjourning roads to the residence of the controversial politician were cordoned off by the police, while securitymen had a hectic time controlling the crowd who besieged the place to catch a glimpse of their leader.

Right from the Molete market, sympathisers lined up both roads leading inside Adedibu's residence while thousands took strategic position on the flyover and underneath the Molete Bridge.

No fewer than two people fainted at the scene as policemen battle miscreants and political thugs who struggled at the pedestrian gate to gain entry into the deceased premises.

The remains of Adedibu left the University College Hospital (UCH) at 9.30 a.m. with a long convoy of vehicles which caused a lot of traffic snarl in the metropolis and finally arrived Molete at 10.28 a.m. in a black Cadillac ambulance with a special registration number 'Oyo Ultimate 1'.

A team of pall-bearers from Ultimate Undertakers carried the corpse, which was wrapped in white and placed in a transparent casket.

At a brief lying in state for the frontline politician, Obasanjo paid his last respect while the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao who played the chief host alongside the erstwhile Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi, also followed suit.

In his sermon, Sheik Liadi Akilapa described the late Adedibu as a man who was "born with honour, lived a life of honour, died with honour and celebrated with honour."

He reminded sympathisers of the transient nature of life and admonished all and sundry to live a worthy life, adding that no matter the wealth amassed, we will all live the world one day.

He said: "Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the life of a worthy man who left his footprints on the sand of time. While alive, he touched many lives and these are the things that will be remembered about him. Not the amount of wealth he amassed."

The cleric admonished the people to be conscious of the fact that irrespective of the wealth they amassed, they would leave the world one day.

"Where is the owner of the sprawling premises today? The Moslem cleric asked, eliciting a sober response from the sympathisers.

Sheik Akilapa then enjoined the people to be guided by the fear of God in their actions while reminding that position of honour intoxicates.

The occasion however provided an opportunity for miscreants and political thugs to rob people of their handsets and other valuables.

Among the victims was a police officer, an Assistant Superintendent of Police who, despite being fully armed and in uniform, lost his handset. Reporters too were robbed of cash and other sympathisers.

Several others, including a female reporter, also sustained injuries in the struggle to gain entry into the deceased premises.

Other dignitaries at the event are the former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP (South), Alhaji Yekini Adeojo; eminent Industrialist, Chief Kola Daisi, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Salmot Badru; Secretary to the Osun State government, Fatai Akinbade; former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Titi Oseni; Chief Folorunso Fagboun and some members of the PDP from Lagos State.

Wife of the late politician, Bose, was surrounded by wives of political functionaries, led by Kemi Alao-Akala, inside the living room while the final burial rites lasted.

One of Adedibu's children who identified himself as Dauda in an interview said his father's death would further unite them and make them live as one big family.

Although he said their father did not make any will, he maintained that sharing his property would not be a problem as the deceased had settled them before his death.

Obasanjo who left before the remains of the deceased were interred, refused to speak with reporters but simply wrote in the condolence register, 'Erin wo' (The elephant has fallen).

The erstwhile President wrote: "The death of Chief Adedibu has created a deep gap in the political scene of Oyo State and particularly Ibadan. It is the end of one glorious and memorable era. May his gentle soul rest in peace."

His daughter, on her part, described Adedibu as a leader of men and prayed that his soul rests in peace.

Senator Omilani in his comments described the PDP chieftain as a leader of distinction and selfless politician who was generous to a fault.

He said: "The entire Yoruba race will miss a visionary papa. He would not discriminate. He holds everyone with regard. May the Almighty Allah grant him a permanent rest."

Meanwhile, prominent leaders of the PDP, including the former party chairman, Senator Ahmadu Ali, Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George and the current Chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor, were absent at the burial.

The Senate President, David Mark, has called on the people of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to play politics according to "the rules of the game".

In his reaction to the death of Chief Lamidi Adedibu, Mark commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State as well as the Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin and Senators Kamarudeen Adedibu and Andrew Babalola over the death.

On the need for sanity in the political atmosphere of Ibadan, the Senate President in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, said: "We continue to appeal to the people of Ibadan and Oyo State to ensure that politics is played according to the rules of the game, the favoured objective being the delivery of democratic dividends to ordinary Nigerians in the streets."

Similarly, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has described Adedibu as " a great party man, an accomplished grassroots mobiliser and one of the most important political leaders of the country.

"Despite the controversies, Chief Adedibu is a giant in the political field. He was a man who had real electoral value and who connects easily with the people. The lesson of his life and politics is that the people should always count. They are the owners of the mandate and can lease it to whoever they trust", the statement added.

Founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has however, cautioned politicians in Oyo State against using the death of Adedibu to foment trouble.

Former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has also said that Nigerians and the common man would miss Adedibu's generosity, adding that his death was a great loss to the nation's political environment.

He noted that the late Chief Adedibu was so close to the grassroots that his palace was hardly free of common men at anytime, even in the dead of the night.

"Chief Adedibu popularised what later became 'amala politics'; he attended to the needs of the people and he was seen as a caring leader, may his soul rest in peace."

However, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) yesterday declared that the death of Adedibu will re-enact progressive politics in Oyo State.

The group in a statement by its president, Moshood Erubami, said his death is a graphic reminder of the inevitability of death, stressing that his demise will no doubt affect the balance of power in Oyo politics. Erubami, who described Adedibu's death as "painful", said his demise is a message to all to do good while alive.

"Whatever is sown is what will be reaped. Adedibu while alive distinguished himself in politics and philanthropy. He was a distinguished high chief of Ibadanland, though a controversial politician whose leadership roles in our political history have been well recorded."

The TMG said his death on the eve of June 12 and subsequent burial on the anniversary date was symbolic considering his role in the struggle for de-annulment of June 12 presidential election believed to have been won by the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Abiola.

The group noted that the deceased will be remembered each year June 12 is being celebrated, adding that the only lesson from his death is that June 12 has become a phenomenon that cannot be wished away.

Former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, also described the late Adedibu as "a great politician".

In a condolence tribute in Lagos yesterday, Kalu said of Adedibu: "He was a man who warmed the political atmosphere. A man who spent most of his life doing what he could do best."

Edo State Governor, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, has on his part condoled with Governor Alao-Akala.

Osunbor described the late politician as one of the surviving First Republic politicians, a devout Moslem and philanthropist whose contributions to the political development of Oyo State and the country are worthy of note.

And from Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, have come condolences to the people and government of Oyo State.