Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his counterpart in Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde and former Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, have expressed sadness at the demise of the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, describing his death as a great loss.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday, said Ajimobi’s shocking demise, after all efforts by medical professionals to stabilise him, when he took ill, had opened a deep sore in the hearts of millions of Nigerians, who looked up to him as a rallying point and a political stabiliser.
He said: “the passage of Senator Ajimobi hurt me. My heart was filled with grief when I was informed that I had lost another political icon in our battle against the coronavirus.
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“Senator Ajimobi was more than a politician, he was a man of many parts, whose managerial skills and experiences are required at this critical period in our national life.”
“Senator Ajimobi was a distinguished Nigerian, who bestrode the economic and political space of the country like a colossus. He made his mark in the corporate world before venturing into politics.
“As first elected Governor to serve two terms in Oyo State, his achievements will remain indelible in the annals of political history of that State and Nigeria as a whole.”
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While commiserating with the deceased’s family, Sanwo-Olu urged them to take heart, saying ‘‘the death of loved ones is usually one of the most painful episodes in peoples’ lives but we must realise that death is inevitable. We all will die someday. Therefore we must gather enough strength to carry on.”
Ajimobi was a statesman, says Makinde
In the same vein, Governor Makinde, in a condolence message to the Ajimobi family and the people of Oyo State directed that the state’s flag fly at half mast on Friday.
The condolence message read: “I was so sorry to hear the news of the passing away of the immediate past Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, which sad event took place earlier today.
“I cannot begin to imagine the pain the family must be going through at this time because of the loss of their patriarch. It is my prayer that God grants them all the strength to bear this great loss.
“I join the good people of Oyo State as we mourn the death of a statesman. I have directed that flags fly at half-mast tomorrow in honour of our brother, friend and illustrious son of Oyo State.
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“Surely, he will be remembered for leaving a blueprint for some of the activities that our administration is now undertaking.
“The Oyo State Government will be extending to his family, all the courtesies deserving of his personage.”May his soul rest in peace.”
Ambode mourns former Oyo State governor, Ajimobi
Also, former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in a statement signed by his media aide, Habib Aruna, described Ajimobi’s demise as a personal loss, saying that the former governor meant more than a brother and a colleague to him.
“I received the news of Ajimobi’s demise with a heavy heart. This is a great loss to me. I can easily recall so many fond memories we shared when we were Governors of our respective States. We were very close during the period and I saw him as an elder brother always.
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“He was always full of wisdom, very witty, always willing to provide his honest opinion on issues. His political sagacity was one I admired from afar and I am glad to have shared many memorable moments with him,” he said.
Ambode said Ajimobi’s eight years as governor was remarkable, saying that his strides across the length and breadth of Oyo State will never be forgotten in a hurry.
“Ajimobi was very passionate about his state, the Yoruba agenda and the Nigerian project. He was a progressive party man to the core and Oyo citizens will testify to the fact that he left the State better than he met it,” he said.
Ambode also condoled with the family of the late Oyo State governor, urging his widow, Florence, to take solace in the fact that her husband lived a fulfilled life and left an indelible mark on his people.
“This is a big loss. As much as he was a politician, he was also a devoted family man. I pray that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and his entire family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the former Lagos governor said.
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