OBJ slumps in church •He did not slump -Aide

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, slumped during a church service to mark the 70th birthday of one of his associates, General Olu Bajowa.

The former president was said to have slumped during the service that took place at the St. Stephens Anglican Church, Igbotako, in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the incident which happened at about noon while the service was going on, caused panic among the dignitaries that attended the ceremony.

It was learnt that Obasanjo had complained of stomach pain and later caused a stir in the church as he slumped and was immediately rushed out of the church.

The chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was rushed to General Bajowa’s house, where he was given medical attention.

The governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who was also present on the occasion, was said to have directed his commissioner and personal physician, Dr A. Adegbule, to attend to the former Nigerian president.

It was gathered that it took the team sometime before it could stabilise Obasanjo and ensure that he regained consciousness.

However, after sometime, the former leader managed to surface again at the ceremony to join other dignitaries that had expressed worries over the incident.

He was said to have managed to see the end of the event.

But Obasanjo’s spokesman, Mr Ojekunle Adeyemo, said it was not true that the former president slumped.

“I don’t know why people are saying what they are saying. Chief Obasanjo did not slump anywhere. He went for a ceremony and also joined them at the reception. Where did they get the story?” he asked.

The retired Bishop of Akure (Anglican Communion), Reverend Bolanle Gbonigi, at the church service, enjoined Nigerians to ensure that they were upright while on earth.

He noted that since whatever men did would live after them, people should strive to contribute to the development of their communities while alive.

Mimiko, in his speech at the reception, extolled the virtues of Bajowa and described him as one of the illustrious sons that had come out of the state.

Besides, he also eulogised former governor of the defunct Western Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo, for his contributions to the development of the region.

Dignitaries at the event included Governor Mimiko; Chief Obasanjo; General Adebayo; former Governor Olusegun Agagu; Rear Admiral Akin Aduwo; traditional rulers in Ikaleland, among others.