Former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress governorship hopeful in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has described the late former governor, Abiola Ajimobi, as a father figure whose leadership style drew him into politics and shaped his public life.
Speaking on the sidelines of the sixth-year Fidau prayer held at Ajimobi’s Oluyole Estate residence in Ibadan, Adelabu said his bond with the late governor went far beyond partisan ties, evolving into a deeply personal relationship anchored on mentorship and guidance.
He recalled that Ajimobi’s governance style, decisiveness and organisational capacity convinced him to leave the private sector for public service. According to him, Ajimobi provided clear direction, opened doors and offered the kind of counsel that only a trusted patriarch could give.
Adelabu noted that under Ajimobi, the APC in Oyo State was cohesive and disciplined, contrasting that era with the current internal divisions rocking the party. He urged party members to rediscover the spirit of unity that defined Ajimobi’s tenure if they hope to dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party from power in 2027.
Drawing from his experience as Chairman of the Oyo State Security Trust Fund, Adelabu praised Ajimobi’s tough stance on crime, saying the former governor built a security architecture that significantly reduced criminality. He described him as a leader who confronted challenges head-on, particularly in security, infrastructure and education.
Former Secretary to the State Government, Olalekan Ali, echoed the call for reconciliation, appealing to APC stakeholders to put aside grievances and emulate Ajimobi’s legacy of order, discipline and progress. He urged aggrieved factions to sheath their swords, stressing that no individual ambition should supersede the collective interest of the party and the state.
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari of Oyo North also paid tribute, portraying Ajimobi as a principled, fearless “go-getter” who never shied away from telling hard truths. Buhari admitted that his own political trajectory was heavily influenced by Ajimobi’s mentorship, but warned that resolving the party’s current crisis would demand courage and sincerity from all sides.
In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Oluyole Estate Extension, Mudathir Bada, reminded the gathering that the late governor’s life should inspire a deeper fear of God and a renewed commitment to righteous living. He said true meaning in life comes from aligning with divine principles.
The Fidau prayer drew family members, political associates, friends and office holders from across Nigeria, all united in honouring a man many described as a towering figure in Oyo politics and governance.
