….Reveals How He Made Him President
By Richard Thomas, Ibadan
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has described the late Ibadan strongman, Chief Lamidi Adedibu as a rare political leader and gladiator whose record will be hard to surpass in the political settings of the state and the nation as a whole.
Obasanjo made the point at the public presentation of a book in honour of the political sage held at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan on Thursday.
According to him, Adedibu’s political record and achievements will forever remain indelible in minds of the people and in the history of the country.
“Adedibu was a dynamic man, it took so long before I knew him, and by that time, he had done so greatly in the political arena. He left great legacies and foot print in the nation’s politics and in Yoruba land which cannot be forgotten.
“Baba Adedibu told me he contested election in 1954, then I was in secondary school. This is to tell you that he had been in politics a very long time ago.
“My coming here today coupled with the array and caliber of the people I am seeing here tells more about the great and remarkable things Baba Adedibu had done and achieved while alive. If not for him, I would not have been president in Nigeria on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP),” he declared.
He said Chief Adedibu wielded great powers and had full control of the PDP in the south west of the country and had made so many great people in politics.
Chief Obasanjo while thanking the guests, family, friends and political associates of the Adedibu dynasty for honouring the programme urged them to learn and tap from the legacies and political principles of Chief Adedibu in order to set their political record straight.
“I learnt a lot from him, he was very selfless, honest, hardworking and resourceful. May his soul continue to rest in peace, amen,” he said.
It will be recalled that Chief Adedibu died on June 11, 2008 at the age of 81 in Ibadan.
Speaking at the programme, the state governor Engr. Seyi Makinde who was ably represented by his Chief of Staff,Chief Bisi Ilaka said chief Adedibu had left his foot print in the political soil of the nation adding his great impacts will be forever be acknowledged and be remembered by the people.
Also speaking, former minister, Elder Wole Oyelese described the political strong man as a thorough leader who handled the big party PDP, his followers and his students with wisdom and sound administrative acumen.
He also thanked his wife Alhaja Abosede Adedibu for keeping the home of Chief Adedibu in good stand and shape.
In his brief remark, former House of Representative member, Honourable Waheed Aderemi Gbede described the Generalissimo as a political giant who bestrode the political scene of the country and state as a colossus.
While commending, those behind the historic occasion he admonished everyone to continue to celebrate him in order to keep him in good memory of the people especially the young and up coming politicians.
In their separate interview, the authors of the book, former Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Hazeem Gbolarumi and Comrade Lekan Saka thanked God for the success of the book and the programme, saying Chief Adedibu deserved to celebrated after for his great impact in the country and the state in particular.
“We have thought it many times to celebrate him, but we thanked God that it finally came to pass.”
“We really missed his leadership and fatherly affections and prayers. He was a prayerful person and a great leader and father
Dignitaries present at the occasion include Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola, (Alleluyah), Engr. Remi OSENI, former governor Adebayo Alao Akala, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Engr. Femi Babalola Chief Executive Officer of Jogor Event Centre, Ibadan and many others.
