Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has publicly laid out detailed instructions for how he wants his burial handled, insisting that his remains must be interred within four weeks of his death and that his final resting place should never again be visited.
Fayose, who turned 65 today, spoke in a six-minute video posted on YouTube by City Edge TV on Saturday, where he reflected on mortality and legacy and formally assigned responsibility for his body to the Ekiti State Government.
“Death is inevitable,” he said. “My body belongs to the Ekiti State Government… I’m delivering a letter to the governor.”
He stated that, regardless of when he dies, the state government should immediately assume full control of his remains and funeral arrangements.
“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,” Fayose declared, explaining that the four-week window was to allow the government enough time to plan, should it not be ready to organise a burial within a few days.
Fayose also issued specific instructions to his children, directing them to comply strictly with whatever guidelines the government sets at the time and to attend his funeral in their normal clothes rather than special mourning attire.
On his preferred burial site, the former governor said he wants to be laid to rest at his paternal grandmother’s home, where he has already prepared a garden for that purpose.
“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,” he said, urging loved ones to show him affection now, rather than through elaborate posthumous gestures. “If you want to show me love, if you want to take care of me, do so now.”
City Edge TV also shared an extended clip from Fayose’s birthday thanksgiving, featuring juju music legend King Sunny Ade performing live as the former governor joined him dancing on stage.
Tributes poured in from political leaders across the country to mark Fayose’s 65th birthday.
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, hailed Fayose’s “remarkable contributions” to the state, describing him as “a respected grassroots politician and mobiliser” and “a statesman who will never shy away from bearing his mind.”
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, called Fayose “a valuable friend and brother, who will never pretend about where he stands on issues,” praying that he enjoys long life and “immeasurable blessings.”
