By Olubiyi Obasa
Until his death, Ajimobi was announced as the Acting Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, last week, after the Court of Appeal upheld the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole.
The following are few interesting facts about him:
Background
He was born on December 16, 1949, into the family of Ajimobi of Oja-Oba, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria.
His father was a member of the House of Assembly of the Old Western Region.
He had his primary education at Saint Patricks Primary School, Oke-Padre in Ibadan while he also obtained his degrees in Business Administration and Finance, Operations Research and Marketing at the State University of New York, in Buffalo and Governors State University, University Park, Illinois respectively.
Ajimobi, before venturing into politics worked with Shell International Oil Company between 1987 to 2003.
Politics
He, under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy, served as Senator representing Oyo South from 2003 to 2007.
He was at this time, the minority leader of the Senate.
In 2007, he contested for the governorship election in Oyo state under the platform of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), but he lost to the PDP candidate, Senator Rasheed Ladoja.
In 2011, he won the governorship election under the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
He was also re-elected for second term in 2015 making him the first governor in the history of Oyo State to complete a two-term in office.
Constituted Authority
In 2017, he became an internet sensation when he confronted the students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) for protesting the closure of their school over unpaid salaries.
The incident earned him a nickname, ‘constituted authority’ which was derived from his remark.
Failure to return to senate
In 2019, Ajimobi lost the Oyo South senatorial district seat to Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Kola Balogun.
He was however appointed the Deputy Chairman (South) of the APC in March 2020.
‘Acting Chairman’ APC
He was named as the acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole
Ajimobi was the first governor to spend two terms of eight years in office as the chief executive. He was given the humorous appellation of "Koseleri", it has never happened, in the state.
However, his surrogate Alhaji Bayo Adelabu alias Penkelemesi and himself were flatly defeated as governorship and Senatorial Candidates during the last years general elections.
The defeat of the duo was attributed to reckless utterance of Ajimobi as well as his arrogance.
Ajimobi during his 70th birthday anniversary in his characteristic humour said that he was humbled by the large turnouts of people adding that he knew that most of those who came thought he might be appointed a minister thus providing another opportunity for more assistance
His wife, Deaconess Florence Ajimobi was a prayer warrior as confirmed by the Women Intercessory Network (WIN) set up during her husband's tenure
However, her effort to secure life for her husband who was under treatment for over a week failed
It was believed that the spiritual power helped the Governor to reign for eight years.
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