Honouring Ajimobi Five Years After | Afeez Bolaji Repete

Whenever the flash of our mortality crosses my mind and I remember that death will end our sojourn on earth, I take a solemn break to think about everyone I have had to lose to the cold hands of death in my short existence on this planet including my biological father, the Late Alhaji Hameed Akintayo Repete of Akintayo Elenpe Awanibaku family of Bere,Ibadan. Another one that strikes a chord that penetrates deeply is that of my former boss, leader, and mentor, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi. Today is the 5th anniversary of his demise. In his poem, “Hallowed Ground”, Thomas Campbell reminded us that to live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. I am using today’s remembrance to pay glowing tribute to one of the illustrious sons of Ibadanland, Aare Abiola Ajimobi, Koseleri The 1st Pe-gun-re of Oyo State. The one and only Constituted Authority of Nigeria.

The Late Abiola Ajimobi was truly a statesman, a visionary, and a nationalist in every sense of the word, who had a thorough understanding of the weight of public service. Even in death, his legacy continues to speak, as it shines as a guiding light for many of us who worked very closely with him and those who criticized his revolutionary and reformative tendencies. He believed in the unity and progress of Nigeria. Whether in his contributions to national discourse or his leadership roles within the APC at the national level, he stood as a bridge between generations, ideologies, and interests. His wisdom was always sought after, and his voice carried the weight of deep experience. As I reflect on the five years since his passing, I do so with mixed emotions, one for the sorrow of my loss as a father figure, and much more, the pride in his accomplishments as a great politician.

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When history is taught as a subject in our schools, it will be boldly written that Abiola Ajimobi was the first governor in the history of Oyo State to serve two consecutive terms where he completely redefined governance, leadership, and public service. Truth be told, he brought class, intellect, and strategy into governance as his 8-year two-term administration focused on security, urban renewal, civil service reform, and infrastructural development. These were bold strategies that took Oyo State into a new era among the comity of states in Nigeria. May I humbly say that all his achievements were not accidental. He had a clear vision for Oyo State, and he pursued it with courage and unmatched dedication based on his convictions and principles.

As his S.A on Youth and Students Affairs, I had the rare privilege of witnessing firsthand how deeply he cared about young people, the number of appointees of less than 40years of age in his government, and the many late meetings with student bodies and youth organizations into the wee hours of the night for engagements and robust discussion. He firmly believed in empowering the next generation. It was this same belief that made him nominate me as the Deputy National Youth Leader of our great party, the APC. He was so intentional about youth inclusion. This and many great interventions for the youth and students of Oyo state etched his name as a patriot and lover of the younger generation. To the young people of Oyo State, especially those of us who were mentored by this great man, let us not forget his unshakable belief in youth empowerment. He gave many of us a seat at the table when it was politically risky to do so. He trusted in our ability to learn, lead, and grow. Today, we must carry forward that trust with renewed purpose and loyalty.

Sadly, for us as associates, loyalists, disciples, and followers of his ideological beliefs and leadership acumen, and more importantly, for the Oyo State chapter of the APC, his death created a void that is yet to be filled. Today, the APC in Oyo State is at a critical juncture. Since his death, the party has struggled to find unity and a common purpose. The vacuum Ajimobi left behind has proven difficult to fill. His style of generous leadership, which was firm, fair, and forward-looking, is sorely missed. With all sense of modesty, I can boldly say the Late Ajimobi was the glue that held the APC together in Oyo State. He was a bridge builder and conflict resolver. He knew how to manage diverse interests and personalities. His absence has shown us how valuable his presence was. Without him, internal divisions have widened. I admonished us to, as a matter of necessity, use this 5th remembrance of our leader to rediscover our path as progressives and champion a total redirection for APC so that posterity will be kind to us all.

If you ask me, this 5th year remembrance must go beyond attending the prayer session to be held at his Oluyole residence in flowing agbadas and adorning ankara uniform of asoebi, and making great emotional speeches, let our togetherness ignite a new spirit of reconciliation, mutual respect, understanding, and unity for a common purpose to reawaken the values of discipline, decorum, and strategic focus within the APC family in Oyo State. We owe it to his memory to rebuild and reposition our party. The time for bloated egos and unhealthy division is over. The time for healing and strategy is now. We must all return to the principles Ajimobi lived for, which are excellence, loyalty, progress, and development. Let his legacy be a rallying point for all APC members in Oyo. Anything less is a betrayal of his legacy. Let us come together and restore the APC in winning ways, including reclaiming the Agodi government house in the 2027 gubernatorial election.

This tribute of mine will be incomplete without saluting the resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment of Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Florence Ajimobi. In the face of deep personal losses, she has remained strong and has kept the Ajimobi legacy alive. In the absence of Senator Ajimobi, the burden of continuity has rested on the shoulders of our mother, and with quiet strength and an uncommon sense of loyalty, she has kept the Ajimobi political family together. Her role in keeping his associates united and the vision burning can not be overlooked. She is a mother in a million. We, the Ajimobi Associates remain a strong force because of our conviction and the values our leader stood for, and we shall continue to push for the development and unity of Oyo State, as he would have wanted.

As we remember the Late Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi today, let us mourn his absence, celebrate his towering achievements, and realign ourselves as one and a unified family under APC. The best way to honour his memory is to continue the good works he started with courage, clarity, and commitment.

The writer is a senatorial aspirant for Oyo Central Senatorial District of Oyo State.