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| Late Gov. Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi |
Ajimobi, a strong member of the Ruling All Progressive Party, who later served as the Deputy National Chairman of the party died in a private hospital in Lagos. He was aged 70.
Speaking to reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, the AAC Chairman in the state, Comrade Ogunlana Rotimi Jacob opined that, although Ajimobi's death has been rumoured for more that two weeks after the late former governor was diagnosed of Coronavirus.
Comrade Rotimi, speaking about Ajimobi's legacies said: "In Nigeria, once a person died, he immediately becomes a good person if not saint, "Ajumobi has both good and bad legacies but the good ones must be sustained and preserved while his bad legacies must be discarded."
Talking about his good deeds, AAC Chairman said Ajimobi's handling and management of the Oyo State Council of Traditional Rulers during his tenures, management of the civil service system especially at the directorship and permanent secretary cadres to prevent corruptions are worthy of notes.
He said the incumbent Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde must build on such legacies!
"That also contributed to the red cards shown to the party in the 2019 general elections in Oyo state"
When LAUTCH students took their protest to Ibadan, Mr Ajimobi said he was a ‘constituted authority’ and “may not reopen the school if he likes”. The late Ajimobi had said the students did not respect ‘constituted authority’ and told them “to do their worst”.
"During Ajimobi's tenures, even secondary school students in Oyo State protested over the educational policies of the state. Some protesting students destroyed a billboard of the state governor in 2016."
"The demolition of Yinka Ayefele’s Fresh FM radio station for political vendetta and victimisation of imaginary enemies and opposition by the late governor remains fresh in the memory of Oyo residents." AAC chair said
It should be noted that in 2018, the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners filed a suit against Mr Ajimobi and others over unpaid N42.3 billion pensions and gratuities to its members.
Also, workers of Oyo-owned schools and students clashed with the APC led government in the state.
Mr Ajimobi was nicknamed “constituted authority” after several months of closure of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (a school co-owned by Oyo and Osun states). AAC said his bad instance in the arena of education must not be repeated in Oyo state as the school was shut because the two APC states governments in Oyo and Osun could not properly fund the institution.
When LAUTCH students took their protest to Ibadan, Mr Ajimobi said he was a ‘constituted authority’ and “may not reopen the school if he likes”. The late Ajimobi had said the students did not respect ‘constituted authority’ and told them “to do their worst”.
After the protest, Mr Ajimobi demanded an apology from the students saying they were rude to him.
AAC said Mr Ajimobi who schooled in United States of America, where he studied Business Administration and Finance at the State University of New York, in Buffalo, New York graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree without interruptions, strike and protests was demanding an apology from students after more than two years of LAUTECH closures
"During Ajimobi's tenures, even secondary school students in Oyo State protested over the educational policies of the state. Some protesting students destroyed a billboard of the state governor in 2016."
"The demolition of Yinka Ayefele’s Fresh FM radio station for political vendetta and victimisation of imaginary enemies and opposition by the late governor remains fresh in the memory of Oyo residents." AAC chair said
"Now is the time not be beclouded by the demise of any of our leaders but to be factual about their merits and demerits when they were in power, maybe those who are currently serving will learnt from it."
"Anything he has illegally accumulated from the state resources and commonwealth of the Oyo people should be recovered just like that of the late maximum dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha." Rotimi concluded.
When contacted, Comrade Dele Abiola said he is not surprised and can never be surprised that anyone died because death is an inevitable for all.
According to him, speaking philosophically to our reporters, he said; "He who must die must live, and he who must live must die, hence the needs for us to die for our people when we have opportunity to serve them so we can live in their memories for ever as the death is inevitably an end here."
"Hence, when we are no more, its waht we have done that will be left with the populace either positive or negative," he said.
Comrade Dele Abiola who contested for House of Representative seat in Ogbomoso constituency II in 2019 on the platform of AAC said "what is disheartening is that people of this country including the former Oyo governor died of infections from Coronavirus and many are still been infected by Pandemic."
"The APC led federal government left our borders and air space opened until the virus was reported in the country, just as Buhari wasted six months of his first term until our economy entered into recession then." Comrade Dele said
According to him, speaking philosophically to our reporters, he said; "He who must die must live, and he who must live must die, hence the needs for us to die for our people when we have opportunity to serve them so we can live in their memories for ever as the death is inevitably an end here."
"Hence, when we are no more, its waht we have done that will be left with the populace either positive or negative," he said.
Comrade Dele Abiola who contested for House of Representative seat in Ogbomoso constituency II in 2019 on the platform of AAC said "what is disheartening is that people of this country including the former Oyo governor died of infections from Coronavirus and many are still been infected by Pandemic."
"The APC led federal government left our borders and air space opened until the virus was reported in the country, just as Buhari wasted six months of his first term until our economy entered into recession then." Comrade Dele said
Nigerian President, Major Gen. Muhhamadu Buhari, APC governors, chieftains of the party, friends and family are currently mourning his death with condolence messages .
Updated on 26/06/2020: 3:37
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