Tribute: Gov Ajimobi and The History of Peace | By Afeez Bello ‘Mabinuori’
It takes a political competition, strategy and grace of God to become the governor of a state, but it takes an initiative and vision to become a great governor that sets an unblemished standard. This would bring us to the memory lane of the sad and unwanted incident that occurred on this day in 2020 when Oyo State, Nigeria, and some places in the world were put in the mourning mood due to Senator Isiaq Ajimobi, who bowed to the pressure of the Angel of Death.
Without what was, none is; all former governors in Oyo State have done well to the best of their abilities, but late Ajimobi’s performance did not only match theirs but he surpassed theirs regarding governance and administration.
You cannot write the history of Oyo State without doffing off your cap for the former APC National Vice Chairman, since he remains the architect of modern Oyo State through his outstanding performance in repositioning and transforming the state.
Prior to the emergence of Ajimobi in 2011, violence had engulfed the pace-setting state to the extent that anyone leaving his home was not fully sure whether he would return to his destination safely. With the emergence of Governor Koseleri, he immediately addressed human security, which has been the strongest challenge to the state and an unavoidable threat to the people of Oyo State.
A few months into his administration, the people of the state started witnessing freedom from stress and interruptions from brigandages and the absence of violence from NURTW members and their allies. This could be traced to the formation and establishment of a security outfit, codenamed “Operation Burst”, which burst and eradicated thuggery and violent acts across the state. Thereby, reducing violent and other criminal activities to a minute level.
Operation Burst not only achieved success in the lives and properties of the people, but it also achieved success in modesty by directing the view of the people who were fond of putting on immoral dresses, but the security outfit later rescinded its decision due to mere public outcry. But it maintained its stand on the security of lives and properties till the last quarter of 2019, after the end of Ajimobi’s tenure.
Today, Operation Burst cannot burst anymore. It has become a toothless and faceless bulldog that can neither bite nor bark; in fact, the majority of the people of the state were not sure whether the security outfit is still in existence or not. This has put a lot of security pressure on the state since unknown miners who were armed were beginning to establish colonies in the Oke-Ogun area of the state. Itasa forest as a case study.
This should be the concern of notable politicians who are aspiring to succeed the current administration in 2027: to make sure that they make use of the CCTV cameras that Ajimobi has installed in some parts of the state and extend them to other areas across the state so that unknown foreigners will not take over our lands and plunge the state into unwanted crises since the current administration in the state is applying security measures that are far below 21st-century standards.
This is a testament to the sad incident that occurred at Mokola Roundabout last week when armed robbers invaded some buildings and carted away millions of Naira. The pity of it is that one of the CCTV cameras that Ajimobi brought to the state was installed at Mokola Roundabout, but the current administration is not making use of it. It would have revealed the robbers easily, and this would have helped the police in manhunting them, but the reverse was the case since no arrests have been made so far.
Obviously, it is not only the people of the state that were missing the former senator but also its party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), that lacks a central leadership in Oyo State and a mediating leadership at the national level. This, however, shows that the influence of Ajimobi on his party, APC, cannot and should not be underestimated.
Ibadan and other parts of the state are dirty. Why? Ajimobi is gone, and the courageous leadership vacuum is yet to be filled.
When it comes to the history of growth and development, you can never take away the name of Isiaq Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi in, if not all, almost every sector.
No doubt, Ajimobi is a human capital developer, and he has built young people who are also doing fantastically well in various fields. Some of them are now emerging leaders. Even after his demise, “Oko Flori” (the Husband of Mrs Florence) remains the most celebrated former governor in the history of the pace-setting state. May history continue to be kind to him.
Ajimobi Lives On.
About the author
Afeez Bello, popularly known as ‘Mabinuori’, is a printer, journalist, marketer, tutor, and pro-people politician. He contested for the counsellorship seat in 2024, but his mandate was stolen by Seyi Makinde and the PDP-led administration. He is a student of knowledge, leadership, and power. His marketing strategy in the political field has helped various aspirants to become formidable and commanding respect in the political race and a threat to other aspirants and even some political office holders. For instance, his role in marketing gubernatorial aspirants to the people in the 2018/2019 political dispensation; House of Assembly aspirants in Ibadan North State Constituency 1 & 2 in 2022. Currently, he is the CEO of Mabinuori Concept.
