Ajimobi to sacked local govt chairmen: you ’ve legitimacy on your side

Former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has assured the councils’ bosses sacked by Governor Seyi Makinde that they have legitimacy on their side, saying the due process was followed in the election that ushered them into office.

The former governor, who apparently was assuring the council bosses that the process that brought them to power followed legal tenets, said he is fighting their case in silence, saying “silence is golden”.

The ex-governor spoke yesterday at Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi Ape, Ibadan, venue of a thanksgiving and prayer assembly held in his honour by the Basorun of Ibadanland, Chief Kola Daisi.

The event, which attracted eminent personalities within and outside Ibadan, was also attended by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate at the last election, Mr. Bayo Adelabu, the party’s state executives led by the chairman, Chief Akin Oke, party members, Ajimobi’s former commissioners, aides and political associates among others.

Makinde had upon his inauguration sacked the councils’ chairmen, faulting the processes that brought them to office.

The sack came despite an initial court judgment gotten by the umbrella body of the council bosses stopping the government or the House of Assembly from sacking them.

But the council bosses have also remained resolute challenging Makinde’s directive and insisting that they remained the authentic elected council bosses.

Ajimobi said: “Many of you are saying I am not saying or doing anything about what is going on. I am doing something about it, but there are times that silence is golden and this time that we are, I think it is better to be silent.

“But I pray that God will make you victorious. And you are on the right track. The law is on your side.”

The remarks attracted the applause of the guests.

It was the first time the governor is making any public appearance since the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government was inaugurated in the state on May 29.

The ex-governor, who said the event was just an opportunity for him to thank all those who played one role or the other in his eight years rule, also prayed that the Makinde government sail through safely, noting: “It is good to make promises but when reality done on you, you will know that it is not easy”.

Ajimobi’s host, Chief Kola Daisi, said he had the option to call the “get together any name”, such as ‘celebration’, ‘reception’, ‘grand party’, “but because it is conceived primarily as an occasion for thanking God for his love and mercies, I decide to give it a touch of the religious so that those who reflect upon the occasion in the future will appreciate how deeply we believe in the overwhelming influence of the Almighty in our daily lives”.

The businessman gave  four reasons for the event, saying, it is to offer prayers for the repose of the soul of his first wife, late Alhaja Sherifat Kola-Daisi, and his god-son, Aare Arisekola Alao; and pray for Oyo State and Nigeria.

It was also to offer prayer and thanksgiving for Ajimobi and his wife, Florence, as well as for the complete success of Makinde.

Some of the dignitaries, including Prof Oladipupo Akinkugbe, Chief Folake Solanke, Chief Bayo Oyero (former President General of CCII) and Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, lauded Ajimobi for his exemplary leadership and service to the people and the state.

They noted that his eight years reign had indeed transformed the state.