…As Balogun, ALGON mourn***
A former Lagos State governor, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has described the late ex-Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, as the best and most productive governor of the state.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, in a condolence message in Lagos on Thursday, noted that Ajimobi was reputed to be the best and most productive governor Oyo State has had.
“In this assessment, I concur as do so many others.
“The numerous infrastructural and public works projects he initiated literally changed the face of Oyo State for the better.
“He broke a political jinx that many said could not be broken as the first governor to serve two consecutive terms in Oyo State.
“His legacy as a governor will be an enduring and positive one,” Tinubu said.
The late Sen. Ajimobi died on Thursday afternoon at the First Cardiology Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos, aged 70.
He will be buried on Friday in Ibadan according to Islamic rites.
Tinubu said with the demise of Ajimobi, the APC has lost one of its leading lights.
He described the late deputy National Chairman (South) of APC as an honest and forthright statesman who had the interest of the people at heart.
“Ajimobi’s death hurts.
“I had hoped that we could achieve more together but the ultimate wisdom and all our fates rest in the hands of Almighty Allah who knows best.
“We shared a common progressive vision for our country and how to bring prosperity, justice and hope to its people.
“I have lost a dedicated friend, brother and ally.
“Nigeria has lost an outstanding statesman and one of its most able politicians.
“The Yoruba race and Oyo State have lost a favourite son.
“This good and excellent man has left us but his energy, activism and commitment to Nigeria and its people shall always be with us,” he said.
Tinubu said he would always remember and hold dear the vital contributions late Ajimobi made to the establishment of APC.
According to him, the history of APC would not be squarely written without Ajimobi.
He noted how Ajimobi worked with great commitment and sagacity to enshrine progressive governance in the party, Oyo and Nigeria itself.
“His recent emergence as the Deputy National Chairman of our party was in affirmation of his many years of service and devotion to the pursuit of democratic governance.
Tinubu extended his condolence to late Ajimobi’s family, especially his wife and children, adding that he was a loving husband and father.
He urged all to find strength in the good way Ajimobi lived his life and in the fine and good ideals for which he fought.
“My heart grieves for his wife, Florence, and their children.
“May they find the comfort that only Almighty Allah can provide at this moment.
“My prayer is that the Munificent Allah shower mercy upon him, reward his good deeds and admit him to Aljanna Firdaus,” Tinubu said
In related reactions, Sen. Kola Balogun, (PDP-Oyo South) has expressed sadness over the death of former Gov. Abiola Ajimobi.
Balogun, in a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Rotimi Johnson, said that he and others had been apprehensive over Ajimobi’s health status for about a week.
According to him, they had also joined his family and friends to pray for his quick recovery.
“Former Gov. Ajimobi would be remembered for breaking jinx of second term in Oyo State and for other daring projects.
“Without mincing words, we have lost another illustrious son of Ibadan, a great politician and administrator.
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”We would have loved to have him with us for more years but God loves him more and knows better,” he said, condoling with late Ajimobi’s wife, Florence, members of the family, Gov. Seyi Makinde, Olubadan of Ibadan, leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State as well as Nigeria.
“Also, our people should be more prayerful, careful and take every precaution as directed by COVID-19 Task Force. Together, we shall overcome this pandemic,” he said.
The Association of Local Government of Nigeria(ALGON) in Oyo State also lamented the passage of Ajimobi.
The ALGON in a statement signed by its Chairman, Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, said that Ajimobi’s death had left a vacuum too difficult to fill.
“Ajimobi’s death is a great and irreplaceable loss to his family, friends, political associates and the great people of Oyo State.
“Ajimobi was an architect of a new order, an erudite leader, a consummate politician who served the pacesetter state with utmost dedication, love and focus to make the state greater than he met it.
“He was indeed a multitask development expert with profound intelligence which made him an accomplished administrator of human and natural resources for the betterment of the people of Oyo State and Nigeria,” it said.
The ALGON said that it took solace in the fact that death as the ultimate end of all humans was inevitable.
“We commiserate with his lovely family, friends and political associates, government of Oyo State and the entire people of the state whom he served with all his strength.
“May the soul of our courageous and highly intelligent leader rest in peace. God grant him Aljanah Fridaus,” it said.
A civil servant, who spoke on conditions of anonymity noted that Ajimobi paid the salaries of the civil servants in full, when his counterpart in Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola paid half salaries to Osun State Government workers.
