The sad passing of former Oyo State Governor and Senator Abiola Ajimobi was difficult to accept. One of the state’s greatest politicians to have ever lived on earth passed away in the pacesetter state three years ago. Ajimobi was not your regular Nigerian governor or politician.
He was purposeful, focused, exposed,pragmatic,visionary,courageous, loyal,articulate, resourceful, energetic, and deliberate.
However, only a strong and determined leader could have imagined the Brown-Roof State’s long-term sustainable growth plan and made it the envy of others.
The grim reaper saw him at work, doing what he had always loved most—serving the people, party, state, and country—when he decided to take his precious life. Rich and powerful already, Ajimobi had the option of remaining relevant and continuing to enjoy his money, but instead, since he was committed to perfecting his leadership, he persisted in fighting for the long-term viability of the All Progressives Congress at a time the party was in serious mess at the National level, in the face of overwhelming oppositions.
When Ajimobi took over as governor, he encountered a state that was bitterly divided and imprisoned by political violence, gangsterism, and unabating slavery. In his first two years in government, he delivered the peace, harmony, and comfort the people deserved while saving the state from political gangsters and thuggery. He understood that only when there is peace can there be advancement. He increased revenue, enhanced the state’s pace of building infrastructure, and saved the state from being overly dependent on federal funding. He built everything from new roads to bridges, and he did it all in a way that was easy, elegant, and fantastic.
Like other great leaders in the past, Ajimobi had his share of detractors, haters, and even political adversaries. You must face harsh criticism and perhaps hatred as a functioning leader for a decision you made or a course of action you took while in office. Only non-active leaders who would rather be praised than criticized for their actions avoid conflict.
Ajimobi was certainly neither flawless nor a saint. No great leader in human history has ever been flawless. They have excesses, which rivals have emphasized to win political points.
Ajimobi was the same as before. Ajimobi is still the first politician to hold the office of governor for two terms in Oyo political history. He didn’t just help the Oyo people for eight years, he established numerous policies and reforms to address many age long decadence, such as the school governing boards, the Ibadan chieftaincy reform law, the prohibition on street trade, and more.
Although he was vehemently condemned for these reforms and policies, some few lieutenants lost hope and joined forces with the opposition to thwart these well thought policies and reforms. They collaborated with political rivals, but the visionary leader stayed steadfast and held his place despite all oppositions. He was insulted, dragged, and made fun of, yet he permitted the needs of the state to take precedence over those of his tormentors.
Years after the visionary leader passed away, people who derided him for political purposes and ignored his policies and reforms have subtly reintroduced them. The school governing boards was reinstated, and street selling was prohibited.
They didn’t apologize for being narrow-minded or petty. I was anticipating more boisterous, stupid arguments, as they were during Governor Ajimobi’s administration, when I read about Governor Makinde’s decision to appoint Chief Ladoja and the other nine Ibadan high chiefs as obas. However, they all remained silent, showing that they had no issues with the positive change to strengthen the Ibadan chieftaincy structure rather than with the architect of Modern Oyo State.
Why did they criticize Ajimobi for the reforms to the Ibadan chieftaincy? They were bitter and indignant. Why would a single man run for governor twice and still make such alterations? They didn’t want him to set many records, but he did all that he thought was best for the state as governor by setting records, which widened the gap.
Ajimobi worked so hard to establish himself as a leader, the architect of modern Oyo, role model who did everything possible to improve Oyo from the state it was when he took over. He developed a remarkable class of excellence in leadership and governance.
Abiola Ajimobi is still alive. The spectre of death is not happy because he has no cause to jubilate. Death’s only purpose is to be forgotten. You have beaten it when you have something to live for, memories, or legacies that endure.
I honour the late Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi today as a man of tenacity, grace, excellence, fortitude, and political sagacity who will always hold a special place in my heart. Continue to rest in peace, my leader, father, and mentor
Hon.Afeez Bolaji Repete
Former National Deputy Youth Leader & Former S.A. on Youth&Sports to late Senator Abiola Ajimobi
