ADURODEKUN: Redefining Late Adedibu’s Grassroots Politics, Assuming the Rally Point For Oyo 2027

ADURODEKUN: Redefining Late Adedibu’s Grassroots Politics, Assuming the Rally Point For Oyo 2027

Ibadan has a tradition of colourful politicians who wielded enormous influence: Adegoke Adelabu, the brilliant orator and intellectually gifted personality who authored “Africa in Ebullition”, and whose use of the phrase “peculiar mess” got transliterated by his illiterate audience as “penkelemesi”; Chief Mojeed Mobolanle Agbaje, the first Ibadan man to become a lawyer, and son of Alhaji Salami Agbaje of Ayeye, Ibadan who was the richest man in Ibadan in his time and the first to ride a car (1915) and build a house with cement; Chief Meredith Adisa Akinloye, an alumnus of the London School of Economics (LSE), founder of the Ibadan People’s Party (IPP), Chairman of Ibadan City Council and in the Second Republic, Chairman of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN); and Alhaji Busari Adelakun, the “Eruobodo” (“the river fears no one”) of Ibadan politics.

Then came to Lamidi Adedibu who was a colossal presence in the politics of Ibadan, and Oyo state for several decades since the self-styled “strong man of Ibadan politics”, Chief Lamidi Ariyibi Akanji Adedibu, A VACUUM HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN CREATED , Ibadan has not been able to come forth with another prominent political figure , who wield so much influence within the political space .

There has not been the convergence point for political movement as was, when Adedibu held sway. Like never in the history of the political headquarters of the South west,,Nigeria, Ibadan is now divisive when making political decisions , the power to influence has surreptitiously been transferred to political office holders .

Governor Rashidi Ladoja could have easily assumed such figure after his exit as governor, but his political aspiration to return to the seat of power had diminished his occupation as the political convergence, and as that figure to determine the political swing . The movements from one political party to another had greatly dwindled Ladoja’s political strong influence , losing supporters to different political parties , till when the centre refused to hold again .

Ladoja’s hierarchy on the traditional ladder of Olubadan chieftaincy has also prevented him from making moves to assume the rallying point political status, he revered the Olubadan traditional institution and would not want anything to distort or smear the integrity of the institution, Former Governor Ladoja thus, has chosen to play the game with all caution and tact, he rebuffed the idea of being that rallying point political figure.

While since the exit of Alhaji Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu, there is hardly any other Ibadan indigene who has been equally influential in shaping the tone and shape of Ibadan politics and by extension, the politics of Oyo state.

Alhaji Adebisi Olopoenia and Alhaji Waheed Adurodekun have come forth in their own style to stand on the foremost lane of being political convergence for numerous politicians in Ibadan nay Oyo State.

As a whole. the radar is on Alhaji Waheed Ajao Adurodekun, the political giant, who has dominated Ona Ara nay Oyo State politics for decades , without occupying political office .
Alhaji Waheed Adurodekun from Ona Ara Local Government Area has unconsciously assumed the rally point for political assemblage.

From his gained experience during the glorious era of Adedibu , the late strongman of Ibadan politics, , Adurodekun’s striking characteristics of Moolete’s grassroots political practice , but redefined format has sustained political relevance in Ona Ara , being the deciding point for political directions and destinies of numerous politicians , who have assumed political positions , basically those elected at the polls .

How well his various efforts became appreciated with appointments after victory ?is another matter that leave much to be desired , he rather chose to accept the attitude of politicians after victory with religious mind , rather than go to the ring against those whom God has used him occupy such positions ,
Adurodekun has exhibited and navigated away from the Local Ibadan politics, which some seen as a combination of thuggery, populism, inconsistency, clientelism and intellectual opportunism, with service to the people thrown in as a lower measure. He has rather dwelled on helping people assume political powers to the good of the populace , though , not a particularly wealthy politician , Adurodekun has chosen to engage in philanthropy within his meagre means , always desirous to help his immediate and extended environment.

Adurodekun is gradually filling the vacuum created, as the convergence point for agreed political direction,since the exit of Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, and in that aspect, he has unconsciously established himself as a master of the game using love, native wisdom, excellent grassroots relations, community participation, mass appeal, and philanthropy to determine political outcomes

Over decades,
Adurodekun has sustained the tempo of political relevance, as the rallying point of numerous political figures, who had at one time or the other passed through Molete school of politics, he has awesomely combined his good linkage with traditional institutions and cordiality with prominent Ibadan sons and daughters to foster uncommon unity for the political direction over time .

Adurodekun was able to tenaciously hold unto the political root ,being an altruistic personality, who dwells on the consideration of other people’s interest first, not bothering on his meager hard earned resources; he has made taking very good care of the ordinary people ,his daily practice.

Adurodekun is gradually assuming the status of a foremost and effective influential politician in Ibadan politics, Oyo state politics, and one of the leading lights of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

While elected public officers choose to look the other way, he has taken up the gauntlet to address the plight of ordinary people,who could not pay school fees or hospital bills or rent and other financial plight,who daily throng his Oremeji ,Agugu residence ,to ask for help. He supported them willingly.

The kind of influence that Adurodekun wields is attestation to that redefined politics of Adedibu , which dwells on care for the ordinary people and interest in ensuring the process to give to the people , leaders in public offices, who will offer quality governance and deliver dividends .

Though, he had been disappointed by some of those , whom he helped assumed power and later turned against the people. Notwithstanding , Adurodekun was not discouraged , he waivered not, away from active participation in the process , still politically active and keeping the front burner flaming.

Adurodekun abhors violence in Ibadan politics, his style is not in that direction, he does not routinely patronize thugs and enforcers, but have his influence rooted in love and deep affection for the collective interests and welfare of his people, who have reposed so much confidence in him.

As a human being, Adurodekun was obviously a strong grassroots mobilize .He was also a strong religious and community leader.

Ahead of Oyo 2027,the various assemblage of different prominent political figures and personalities across political party divides , who have held sway have been holding series of daily and nocturnal meetings , making Alhaji waheed Adurodekun , the fulcrum, a clear attestation , that a new political rallying point may have been erected in Ibadan land , which will project the direction for Oyo State politics.

Under the banner of former PDP chairmen from all LG in Oyo state, former PDP women Leaders and other different clusters holding series of meetings in similitude of Adedibu’s era ,where a rally point is instituted to be the major political decision for Ibadanland, may have unconsciously returned , albeit in a refined style devoid of violence , but that , which is rooted in the grassroots , deciding their political future .

Alabi caleb Olatunji , is a public affairs analyst based in Ibadan.