Former Ekiti State Governor, Peter Ayodele Fayose, has issued explicit instructions regarding his burial arrangements, declaring that his remains must be interred within four weeks of his death and handled exclusively by the Ekiti State Government.
The directive came in a video shared on YouTube by City Edge TV on Saturday as the politician marked his 65th birthday.
In the emotional six-minute address, Fayose, who served as Ekiti’s second elected governor from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2014 to 2018, made it clear that his body belongs to the state government regardless of when death occurs.
“Remember me for anything. And when I die, let me say this. Death is inevitable. My body belongs to the Ekiti State Government. I’m delivering a letter to the governor,” Fayose stated in the video.
The former governor explained that while he understands the state might need time to prepare, he has given a four-week maximum window for his burial to take place. “Let us say in another 20, 30 years, 15 years, whatever time, for the glory of God. The Ekiti State Government takes over my body, and I must be buried within four weeks. Because the state might not be ready within two, three days, we allow them four weeks,” he said.
Fayose went further to specify his final resting place and issue additional directives to his family members. He revealed that he had prepared a garden at his grandmother’s home where he wishes to be laid to rest, emphasizing that after his burial, no one should visit the site.
“My grandmother’s home, the mother of my father, I’ve made the garden there. I should be laid to rest there. After my departure, nobody must come there again. Allow me to go. If you want to show me love, if you want to take care of me, do so now,” the former governor said.
The politician also directed that his children should wear their own choice of clothing and comply with whatever directives the government issues at the time of his death.
The birthday celebration featured notable moments, including a performance by legendary juju musician King Sunny Ade, who serenaded Fayose on stage during a thanksgiving reception, as shown in a 20-minute video also shared by City Edge TV.
The milestone birthday attracted congratulatory messages from prominent Nigerian political figures. Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, described Fayose as “a valuable friend and brother, who will never pretend about where he stands on issues”.
In a statement released through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike expressed that Fayose’s age is a testament to God’s grace and a call for continued service to Nigeria. The FCT Minister added, “Ayodele, my younger brother, may you reach the age of your elder brother in good health, and may God continue to make your days on earth fruitful, with immeasurable blessings.”
President Bola Tinubu also celebrated the former governor in a 10-paragraph congratulatory message, describing Fayose as a significant political figure in the country. The President acknowledged Fayose’s political journey, noting that his courage never waned despite challenges during his first tenure.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, through his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, praised Fayose’s remarkable contributions to the state. The governor described him as “a leader who loves and connects well with the people, a respected grassroots politician and mobiliser, and a statesman who will never shy away from bearing his mind in his determination to see a more prosperous state and country.”
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