Facts You Should Know About Late Ajimobi

Former Oyo Senator Abiola Ajimobi died of COVID-19 complications on Thursday.

Below are facts you should know about Abiola Ajimobi.

Abiola Ajimobi was born on December 16, 1949 at Oja-Iba, Ibadan.

His grandfather was Sobaloju of Ibadan Land (a chief in the royal court of Ibadan). His father, Pa Ajimobi, was also a member of the House of Assembly in the Old Western region and his uncle, Hon. N.A. Ajimobi was Minister of Works and Transport in the Western Region.

He started his education at Saint Patricks Primary School, Oke-Padre in Ibadan and completed his primary education at Ibadan City Council Primary School, Aperin. His secondary education was at Lagelu Grammar School. He was active in athletics, table tennis, and football including serving as the games prefect during his secondary school days.

Ajimobi studied Business Administration and Finance at the State University of New York, in Buffalo, New York, United States of America, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. He had his MBA in Operations Research and Marketing with a concentration in Finance at Governors State University, University Park, Illinois.

Ajimobi married Florence Ajimobi in 1980 and they have five children. His first daughter Abisola Kola-Daisi is an entrepreneur and founder of Florence H Luxury.

In 2003, Ajimobi became a Senator of the Republic of Nigeria. He was a principal officer in the Senate, serving as the Deputy Minority leader of the Senate. In 2007, He contested the gubernatorial election under the umbrella of the All Nigeria Peoples Party but lost. Ajimobi contested again in 2011 under the Action Congress of Nigeria and won.

He contested for a second term in April 11, 2015 under the All Progressive Congress for re-election against two of his predecessors in office, Christopher Alao Akala and Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. In the event of his re-election into office as the Governor, Ajimobi is the first person to occupy the seat twice and as well in succession.

Ajimobi was elected as All Progressive Congress Oyo South senatorial candidate on 28 September 2018.

On March 9, 2019, Ajimobi lost the Oyo South senatorial district seat to People’s Democratic Party Kola Balogun.

On June 17, The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) endorsed Ajimobi as the acting national chairman of the party.

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 charactertic 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.

11. On June 18, Ajimobi was rumoured to have died but it turned out to be false.