By Lai Mahmood
The gubernatorial candidate for Alliance for Democracy in Oyo State in the 2019 elections, Engr Oyedele Hakeem Alao, has commiserated with the Governor Seyi Makinde, the entire family, friends and associates of Senator Isiaka Ajimobi, the immediate past governor of the state, who passed on Thursday, 25th June, as he implored the political office holders to refrain from deceitful and oppressive governance.
This was contained in a condolence release signed and made available to the press by Omotayo Iyanda, the media spokesman of Oyedele Hakeem Alao Campaign Organisation in Ibadan.
In the release, the gubernatorial candidate also mourned the demise of other illustrious sons of the state, Chief Dauda Adisa Ladapo, the Babaloja of Ibadanland and Mr Gbolagade Ogun Maject, a popular drama artiste, who both passed away last week Friday and Thursday 25 respectively.
According to the release, “As we are in a mournful moment in the state over the demise of our governor, this is another opportunity for all political/public office holders to think very deeply on the way they have been running the affairs of the state which has been fraught with deceit and oppression.
“Whatever you are today, whatever you have become and acquired in life, remember death knocks on everybody’s door one day. There is no gain in being selfish and oppressive while in power!
“Senator Ajimobi, who made his foray into politics in 1999 by becoming the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate from 2003-2007 and Governor of Oyo State between 2011-2019, having retired as the Managing Director of a multinational oil company, has made his marks in both private and public governance, particularly within the Nigerian political space.
“About three months back after the loss of his senatorial bid to return to the Nigerian Senate, the illustrious son of the state, Senator Ajimobi, was named the National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), South West, and shortly after before his death and while in a hospital bed, he was named and announced as the Acting National Chairman of the party to salvage the party from the crisis rocking it. This is all a testimony that Senator Ajimobi was not a pushover in the Nigerian politics.
“Senator Ajimobi, born in 1949, December 16, at his 70th birthday last year, made a statement that hardly had anybody lived up to 70 in his family lineage. This statement, though made in carnal flesh, was prophetic. And true to his words, our governor, Senator Ajimobi, left us at 70!
“Barring all his flaws and shortcomings, Senator Ajimobi was a governor Oyo State whom we will never forget in a hurry. When he was in power, he was in firm control of the state.”
Engr Hakeem Alao said the news of the death of the former governor on the 25th of June, 2020 took him by storm as he particularly commiserated with Mrs Florence Ajimobi, the deceased governor’s loyalists, his party, APC, saying, “we take solace in God as death is a divine arrangement which no human can alter.
“As painful as his death is at this time when his loyalists and party, APC, need in most, we can only take solace in God, beseech God to grant him eternal rest and grant his family and loyalists the fortitude to bear the loss.
“We, the entire OHA Team, home and abroad, pray God to spare our governor, Senator Isiak Abiola Ajimobi, of the punishment of the hereafter,” as he prayed for Chief Ladapo and Ogun Majek to find peace with their creator.
