How Ajimobi Travelled To Abuja And By no means Returned Alive

Abiola Ajimobi

Bolaji Tunji, the particular adviser on communication and technique to the late ex-Governor Abiola Ajimobi has penned a tribute for his late boss revealing how the politician made a journey of no-return from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital.

He mentioned it was throughout that fateful journey that the politician took sick and didn’t get well.

Mr Ajimobi, the speedy previous governor of Oyo State, died in Lagos on Thursday from issues arising from COVID-19.

He was till his demise the deputy nationwide chairman (South) of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Under is Mr Tunji’s tribute in full which he printed on his Fb Web page on Friday morning.

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It was similar to yesterday. He had obtained a name to come back to Abuja. It was to debate social gathering issues. He was undecided of who would observe him. As a result of it was a personal flight, he had restricted choices. He solely went together with his safety aide.

He had informed us earlier in our workplace in his Oluyole dwelling that we might speak concerning the motion to Abuja since he had develop into the Deputy Nationwide Chairman. Our workplace needed to shift to Abuja. He was in his normal caftan and cap, at all times impeccably dressed even at dwelling besides when he does his train each morning in his blue monitor down and blue stripe Tee-shirt and branded cap. Together with his earpiece and cellphone in hand, he would stroll across the constructing a number of occasions to train.

“We are going to go away by 2.00 pm,” he mentioned that fateful day. A particular non-public flight had been organized for him.

He radiated good well being and we nonetheless marvelled that he nonetheless regarded so good for his 70 years. Being 70 meant rather a lot to him and would jokingly name himself Baba 70. As he left our wing of the home to the opposite aspect, just a few of us in our normal method trailed him. He spoke with just a few individuals within the courtyard earlier than he left to organize for that journey. I by no means knew it was going to be the final time I’d see him.

However in his normal organised method, there was no pending challenge. He had taken care of every little thing. He had signed all of the letters of appointment for the peace and reconciliation committee.

I nonetheless can’t wrap my head round what occurred. He was so wholesome, he was neat, he took all the required precautions even whereas he sat with us in our open workplace he was at all times together with his face masks, we at all times observe social distancing. We had been at all times fast to offer him fingers sanitizer anytime he touched one thing. We had been acutely aware of his age and did all we might to make sure security. We had three spots the place you needed to wash fingers earlier than coming into the premises. One at every of the principle entrance gates and one other by the doorway to our workplace. We noticed all due protocols. So what occurred? How did it occur? None of us was sick. So the place did this come from? I’m nonetheless looking for solutions.

He by no means wished the rest after the overall election. He solely wished to take a protracted, due relaxation after serving for eight years with out break. However one other place was thrust on him. He by no means solicited for us and he didn’t need. However they satisfied him to just accept. I do know as a result of in his normal forthrightness, he narrated the way it occurred. He took the positions as a result of he felt it could profit his individuals. ‘ I’ve completed my bit. There may be nothing I got down to obtain that I didn’t, I can’t be governor once more, however I cannot go away you individuals, ‘ he would say.

However what went improper? I’m at a loss. I used to be so certain he would stand up the sickbed. I used to be so certain as a result of there have been unfinished companies. There have been so many duties that he had deliberate forward to higher the lot of the individuals. So I used to be satisfied he would come to finish these duties, these plans. I by no means knew it could finish this fashion.

A legend is born with the demise of a hero. You’ll eternally stay in my coronary heart, in our coronary heart. I’ve learnt a lot from you. You had been a keen instructor. You’d intentionally sit with us and inform us about life experiences. The thought was to study from you. And we learnt. You’d have been shocked if we had not learnt. As you had been fast to level out, you by no means had an educational PhD, however you had a PhD in experiences and what life needed to educate.

I can go on and on reminiscing about you. About that different aspect that folks by no means noticed. That mushy a part of you that folks by no means knew existed.

That is cathartic for me as a result of I’m nonetheless in shock. Am at a loss. All the pieces inside a month.

Did we see this coming? No. Not this. Not that you’d go so quickly.

Have been there indicators? Sure. From essentially the most unlikeliest of sources. However not like this. To not demise…

Although the music stopped, the melody continues. You’ll eternally be remembered. Good evening Sir. Simply the best way I at all times textual content you.