Jide Ajani, Political Editor and Ola Ajayi
12 June 2008
Lagos — The end came yesterday for Chief Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu, known as the strongman of Ibadan politics. Adedibu who was born on October 24, 1927 was 80 years old.
He was pronounced Dead On Arrival (DOA) at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan yesterday afternoon. He had visited Lagos earlier in the day for a routine check up at a high brow hospital on Victoria Island. He returned to Ibadan in the afternoon and headed straight for the Immigrations office where he had an appointment. One of his aides, Mr. Lukman Agboluaje, told Vanguard that it was while Pa Adedibu was going through some paperwork that he slumped. Vanguard gathered that the politician lost consciousness and was rushed to the ICU of the hospital but he died on the way. He was pronounced Dead On Arrival (DOA).
When Vanguard got to the hospital yesterday, many sympathisers wore mournful looks at the entrance of the Intensive Care Department. Most of them were itching to catch a glimpse of him. At 4.41p.m, his admirers and aides like Azeem Gbolarumi, Nureni Akanbi, Dr. Soji Adejumo, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the Chairman of the state Water Corporation, Alhaji Asimiyu Addo, Alhaji Usman Morafa had already gone to the hospital to confirm the news.
Adedibu was reportedly brought to the hospital by Gbolarumi, Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government Area; Demola Omotoso, Vice Chairman of the Muslim Welfare Board; Alhaji Audu Lawal Marafan, and two other security aides.
Security at the UCH
Once it was confirmed that the politician had died, two mobile policemen were stationed at the entrance of the intensive care unit.
When the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mr. Kunle Atinwore, discovered that supporters of the dead politician were trooping into the hospital, he advised that the security be tightened. Later, an official of the State Security Services was seen calling his office to send more men to control the influx of the sympathisers.
Nobody can replace him - OBJ
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that Adedibu's place and role would be difficult to fill. "There will be no one to equal his feat in the politics of Ibadan and Oyo State since its creation just as no one was able to equal the feat of Alhaji Busari Adelakun, alias 'Eruobodo'.
"It is the end of an era," Obasanjo said, adding: "nobody can replace him." The former president said Adedibu called him to say hello only two days ago.
His death shocking- Information minister
Also speaking on the death of the strongman of Ibadan politics, Information and Communications Minister, Mr John Odey, said his death was "quite unfortunate; quite shocking. "We remember him as an elder statesman. We also remember his commitment to politics," Odey added.
He is irreplaceable- Oyo Govt
In his comments, spokesman for Oyo State Governor, Prince Dotun Oyelade, told NAN that Adedibu
belonged to that uncommon specie. "They emerge only once in a lifetime.The governor of Oyo State is in France with Mr President and is making frantic efforts to come back home with the next available flight.
"Baba is irreplaceable," Oyelade said of Adedibu. In his tribute to his political mentor, Rep Lanre Agoro (PDP-Oyo), who expressed shock and belief, said he was a phenomenon whose type of politics would be difficult to find.
Mood of people in Ibadan
There was no visible jubilation, but people stood in groups discussing Adedibu's death. Some who had been inundated with false reports of his death in the past were still skeptical even when it had already been confirmed that the politician was dead.
Molete
At his Molete residence, it was a ghost of itself as the few people who could muster enough courage managed to be there. Traders and other shop owners at Molete closed their shops for fear of being attacked by hoodlums who might want to capitalize on the opportunity to cause trouble.
Olunloyo reacts
Aformer governor of Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo described the late politician as a man who lived well.
He said, "he was a very humorous man who got results from the style of politics he played, though his style of politics may not be elegant and learned. Adedibu had been a challenge. He played his game well. Many condemned him that he played "amala and gbegiri politics, but the truth of the matter is that if you get to other politicians in Ibadan , they would not even offer you a bowl of amala.
"He died when his adversaries wanted him dead. He had his own weak and strong points. One should thank God for him.
Azeem Gbolarumi, former Deputy Governor
His closest aide, Gbolarumi who he made the Deputy Governor during the controversial impeachment of the last administration was too stunned to make comments. He was seen at the hospital around 4.41pm. He simply said, "there is nothing to say for now".
Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa
The life of Chief Lamidi Adedibu has confirmed that life, is indeed, transient. May his soul now rest in peace.
Richard Akinjide, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice
May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Babatunde Oduyoye, two time member of House of Representatives.
End of an era. He had been in politics since the First Republic. My condolence to his family.
Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, National Vice Chairman South -West, said to really show respect for the man, the PDP flag would be flown at half mast.
At UCH
Though, his aides were mournful, some people at the hospital were overheard saying thank God. Ibadan will now experience peace with his death. Some were jubilating openly.
While confirming his death, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the College, Dr Adeniyi Adenipekun said the politician died around 3.27 pm. It was reliably gathered that Adedibu died of diabetes-related ailment.
According to Adenipekun, "Adedibu was brought in around 2.30pm, we learnt he was coming from Lagos and he had to branch at the immigration office before coming to UCH. We learnt he slumped at the immigration office and he was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Department where we received him because we were told he was being brought. By the time he was brought in, he was actually lifeless without any pulse but we took him over immediately and we took him to the Intensive care unit where we did every possible resuscitative measure but we were not able to get him back. Well, since he was not our primary patient, I will not know the cause of his death and again the relations refused post-mortem so I would not know the cause of his death."
Other people at the hospital were the Speaker of the state assembly, Moruf Atilola and some members of the Assembly; and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Razak Gbadegesin,
Burial today
Among those that were seen discussing his burial programme were the Aare of Musulumi of Yoruba land, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja and the Speaker of the House of Assembly. The burial is expected to take place today at his residence at Molete.
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I AM VERY VERY SAD ABOUT THE DEATH OF CHIEF BECAUSE 2007 I WAS IN NIGERIA BECAUSE I WAS VERY VERY SICK AND ASK FOR ASSISTANCE I GO EVERYWHERE TO BIG MEN IN NIGERIA AND NO BODY HELP ME AND SOME BODYRECOMMEND ME TO HIM AND I GO TO IBADAN HIS HOUSE IS OPEN FOR EVERY BODY AND I AM SO IMPRESSED ABOUT THIS MAN HE IS VERY VERY NICE MAN HE EAT WITH HIS PEOPLE HE IS WITH HISPEOPLE AND HIS HOUSE IS OPEN AS A FOREGNER HE RECOGNIZED ME LEAND ASK ME WHAT I WONT AND I EXPLAIN FOR HIM ABOUT MY PROBLEM HE TOLD TO SLEEP TO DAY I IBADAN BECAUSE IT WAS LATE AND HE PAID FOR ME HOTEL BILL AND HE GIVE ME SOM MONEY FOR MY MEDICAL TREATMENT I WASVERY VERY HAPPY AND I BLESSED HIM AND KNOW I AM OK AND I WAS GOING TO VISIT HIM TO TELL HIM THANK YOU.
WHEN I HEARD HEDIED I FEEL BAD HE THE CORRECT NIGERIAN MAN HE IS VERY VERY HELPFUL
At long last, the strong THUG of Ibadan has to leave his loot, to face the judgement of God. There is no doubt, such a man with a wicked heart will be languishing in HELL. His comrades in crime, especially the fat-bellied shameless Obasanjo and the bastards of Ibadan, Olunloyo, Soji Adejumo, the so-called academicians will follow suit soon, for God never sleeps,and His judgement awaits them. People ever forgets that life is a journey, the begining and the end of which nobody knows. You can imagine a glorified THUG, haven gone to see his Doctor, must have been given a clean health report, only to collapse a few hours later. God is great and His Holy Spirit is at work. Those of you who believe in the evil doing,should learn from this. A day will surely come, when you cannot say no, when your soul is demanded. Glory be to Jesus. Honour to Mary.
Adedibu's death should serve as a lesson to all of us(Leaders and the Led) that no matter how highly or lowly placed we are END will definitely come one day. I have not seen sombody that was as controversial as this Old man.Some call him a THUG an apppelation that does not befit him if someone take a close look at his lifestyle. ARIYIBI ADEDIBU has come and gone it is left for you and I to say what we feel about him remembering that ours is aroud us no matter how long.
I feel for the thousands of HELP SEEKERS that daily throng his house for either job,financesand employment becos none of the leaders around today in Yorubaland can assist anybody save for their family.