Unapologetically, I had maintained being a proud sympathizer of the APC as a political platform until few weeks ago, definitely not because I had personally benefitted from its bounties, but because I used to believe that the party had come with a convincing manifesto and promising and feasible strategies to restore the glory of our dear nation, through salvaging our dwindled economy ALLEGEDLY made so in the hands of the PDP and bringing Nigerians’ prosperity to a point near balance, regardless of who you are as a servant living on the national bread.
Pitiful as the case of the APC and her constituting powers have been recently, the party members have succeeded in greedily dragging her to ridicule and disrepute, and it has consequently lost the pride it came with. In a wide scope, my pledge and vouch have never been for many die-hard politicians, whatever their degree on the gradient of honor, repute and virtue before joining politics; and Ajimobi was never an exempted personality in this regard. Ajimobi served his senetorial district as Senator for 4 years, and Oyo state as governor for 8 years. When he was governor, I never expected his countenance to be so different in terms of African political mannerisms, especially on the side of democracy; and yes, he proved his political style and prowess as one good kind in the line. Of course, he was an African, a black.
Ajimobi is gone now; and we thank Allah he died as a recognized, incontrovertible Muslim. He had his shortcomings in his personal way of life, and his administrative errors cannot be overruled. Such is the life of people of his fortune in the corridor of power and influence. It takes a special divine attention for people of his caliber to earn such status and scale through such stage and end all without hitches. Remembering how Ajimobi might have gored some people’s ox, and calling back or revisiting the memories of the manners he had (intentionally or inadvertently) clashed with communal interests, are normally but pathetically a posthumous price people like him must pay. Yet, we owe his spirit some soft, heartfelt condolences.
My attention has captured some unethical utterances and immoral feelings toward the life of Ajimobi as governor and political leader, and these have resulted to these people’s continued verbal expressions of hatred and posthumous malice. Ajimobi’s failure before the Angels (and of course his Lord) has no value to add to our own destiny–worldly or heavenly. Speaking ill of the dead, particularly a Muslim, is not an attribute of a refined Muslim. Personally or communally, we have to let go of whatever grievances we had with Ajimobi. He is now with his Lord, being questioned about how he lived, including how he related with you and me. Or how do we move the body without calling on the head?
Death might not have met Ajimobi so suddenly; many people would attest to the fact that Ajimobi predicted and gave inklings about the imminence of his own death many times before he passed on. He died at a time he most expected death to strike him. If his raw and “I-don’t-care” attitude of talking and expressing his views on matters was what barricaded many from him, Ajimobi only proved his unadulterated, unbastardized nature of an Ibadan-man. If his political leadership style was what was unfavorable, distasteful or displeasing to you, Ajimobi could not have answered all questions to please everybody. If his manner of governing the state was why you had problems with Ajimobi, he could not have perfected all sectors. Ajimobi made some sectors greater than they ever were.
In reference to the pointer to the controversial GRA property allegedly looted by Ajimobi, and insisted by his family (particularly the wife) to be the burial space of the late former governor, I stand with the incumbent governor on an awareness and a note that the property had an ongoing legal tussle dangling over it prior to Ajimobi’s demise. But we have to be humane enough to respect this mourning period and pray for our deceased father and brother. This is a bad time for such manners of politicking flying around in the name of inter-party and intramural hatreds and conflicts. Adieu, Ajimobi!
jayjayolas@gmail.com
