In a rare show of political unity, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State gathered on Wednesday to honor the memory of the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi at his 5th Annual Memorial Fidau Prayer.
The solemn event took place at Ajimobi’s private residence in Oluyole, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, drawing dignitaries and political figures from across party lines.
In an emotional address, the widow of the late governor, Chief Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, expressed her continued grief and how deeply the loss of her husband has affected her over the past five years.
“Five years, and it just seems like yesterday to me. Losing a friend—because my husband was not just my husband.
He was my friend, my number one supporter, my mentor, my leader, and my cheerleader. Not having him around makes me feel so vulnerable,” she said tearfully.
She added, “But I thank Almighty God who has sustained me. Life has not been the same. I miss him so much. But I know what he would want is for me to be strong and uphold his legacy. That’s what I’m doing today.”
The Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Alli, described the late governor as “a well-loved leader who left a lasting impact on the state,” adding that Ajimobi’s era is often used as a benchmark for governance in Oyo State.
“He was somebody who cannot be forgotten,” Alli said. “When you go out, people use his regime to compare several others. That shows how well he did.”
Also paying tribute, former Oyo State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, lauded Ajimobi as “the best governor the state ever had,” highlighting his leadership style and development-focused policies.
In a brief sermon titled “Death Is Inevitable,” the State Missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society, Sheikh Bashir Elesinmeta, urged the gathering to reflect on their lives and legacies, reminding them that the hereafter should be the ultimate concern.
Among the prominent personalities in attendance were the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who represented Governor Seyi Makinde; former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; former Minister of Solid Minerals, Olamilekan Adegbite; Senator Fatai Buhari; and the APC’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate in the state, Teslim Folarin.
The event served as a moment of reflection and reconciliation, with political opponents putting aside differences to honor a leader whose legacy continues to resonate in Oyo’s political history.
