8th Day Fidau: Bimbo Kolade Pens Glowing Tribute for Alhaji Gani Alade

Honourable Bimbo Kolade, Federal Commissioner of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) from Oyo State, has paid tribute to Alhaji Gani Alade.

In his condolence message, Hon. Kolade wrote,”When I saw on a platform the news of the death of Alhaji Gani Alade, I was shocked to the bone marrow and remained silent and quiet for the greater part of the night.

Alh. Gani Alade, where should I start talking about your friendship and commitment to my political course and growth? Our paths crossed when we all lined up behind our late Oga Abiola Ajimobi, who enlisted early in the Star 007 team, and kept on as we metamorphosed into Heritage Group, Primrose, Integrity Parliament, and finally Senaco. He was one of the elders that was beat black and blue by rain during the launch of my campaign in Oyo town for the House of Representatives in 2007. He was committed to the Ajimobi cause until we realised the goal in 2011. Always a focal person, one of the early established politicians who joined the Oluyole elities politician (as we were seldom referred to then, “Awon oloselu alakowe”) from the Felele Abe igi angle. He was appointed to the Oyo State Marketing Board and was always willing to support our Oga, Abiola Ajimobi. Even when issues arose, he was always focused on the way we were playing politics.

In the build-up to the 2015 election, barely a week after I decided to run for the Senate in Oyo Central after some political considerations, he was with Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle and some other elders, and they sent for me, the focal person he was. He challenged me, ‘Why will I want to contest for senate in Oyo Central and I will not get them informed?’ He immediately accepted to be the campaign coordinator. From that moment on, he assembled the local coordinators from the 11 LGAs in Oyo Central, and movements started. Day and night, there was no leader in Ibadan outer city (less city) that Gani Alade did not visit to convince them of releasing the senatorial ticket to the Oyo area and for them to support me for the ticket. Ibadans had conceded the seat to Oyo based on my interest before other Oyo aspirants started showing interest (stories for another day). There were no local government areas or interest groups that Alhaji Gani Alade did not lead his team to, campaigning and convincing people for my support. Day and night, he was on the road.

We were already coasting home to victory on the day of primary in Moniya, Akinyele, in December 2014, and when the opponents realised that we would win, it was Alhaji Alade they first attacked. He was pushed to the ground and was threatened and instructed to leave the venue, which was around 7.30 p.m. in the night. He refused to leave until he came under an acid attack around 11 p.m. and was practically forced to leave the venue. Thank God he outlived the leader of the assault.

Throughout my stay in office as commissioner for Local government, despite what was going on then, he would quietly come to my office, encouraging me and still organising our team for 2019. Close to 2019, he came to the conclusion that because of the happenings of that time, he would step down as the leader of the team and keep working behind the scenes despite the situation at that time. Same, he did build up to 2023 and never stopped talking and warning about the situation of things within the party.

Despite the wide range in age, he will always call me Oga wa (I think it’s only Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle that he refers to like that again). Anytime I get to the house, it’s always “ha Alhaja oga wa ti de o.”

Alhaji Gani Alade, when the story of my political involvement in Oyo State is fully told in the near future, you have written your own chapter in it and will be adequately acknowledged.
The news of your sudden departure hit me like thunder, because we were already discussing the coming together of the progressives, and you died in active service pursuing that objective. I thank God for your impactful life and contribution to humanity. My prayer is that God grant your soul eternal rest and comfort your family.

Adieu, Alhaji Gani Alade.
A Father;
A Friend; and
A dependable ally.

Bimbo Kolade.

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