The whirlwind romance between the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi and a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bayo Adelabu seems to have hit the rocks judging from recent happenstances in the political circle of the state.
The political relationship between Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and then Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bayo Adelabu, is reportedly facing fresh uncertainty as the race to succeed the governor gathers momentum.
Adelabu, a prominent Ibadan indigene and grandson of the late Adegoke Adelabu, popularly known as “Penkelemesi,” had emerged as one of the leading names being mentioned in political circles ahead of the 2019 governorship election.
His pedigree, position at the CBN, financial standing and political connections had fuelled speculation that he enjoyed the backing of influential figures within and outside Oyo State.
However, recent developments in the state’s political circles have raised questions about the strength of his relationship with Governor Ajimobi and whether the governor still intends to support his ambition.
Political observers had previously linked Adelabu’s growing profile to his closeness to Ajimobi, a development that reportedly unsettled rival political camps within the state.
Sources familiar with the development told Papermache Online that the relationship between Ajimobi and Adelabu, who were both associated with the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Arisekola Alao, had become strained.
The sources attributed the reported disagreement to what they described as Adelabu’s increasing political ambition.
According to the report, Adelabu was said to have sought the backing of APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his bid to secure the party’s governorship ticket.
The move was reportedly considered important by some of his supporters, who feared that Ajimobi could eventually change his mind and support another aspirant.
Sources claimed that Adelabu’s reported approach to Tinubu did not sit well with Ajimobi, who was said to have interpreted the move as an indication that the banker was becoming politically independent and overly ambitious.
Another issue reportedly affecting their relationship was Adelabu’s association with the political structure linked to the late Oyo State Governor, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina.
Adelabu was said to have identified with the group popularly known as the “Lamites”, made up largely of supporters and associates of the late governor.
According to political sources, there were suggestions that Adelabu was seeking to build or consolidate the Lamites’ structure as part of his strategy for the 2019 governorship race.
Against this backdrop, a source quoted in the report claimed that Governor Ajimobi had begun considering alternative candidates from among his trusted political associates as potential successors.
Such a move, if confirmed, could significantly alter the political calculations surrounding the 2019 governorship contest.
Another issue being raised about Adelabu’s political ambition is the geographical spread of his support base.
Some political observers reportedly argued that, although he enjoyed considerable recognition among Ibadan’s political and business elite, his popularity outside the state capital would need to be tested across Oyo’s other political zones.
His business interests were also largely associated with Ibadan, where he had recently expanded his investments.
The CBN Deputy Governor had opened a three-star hotel in Ibadan under the management of Best Western, in addition to developing residential apartments in one of the city’s highbrow areas.
As the 2019 succession battle intensifies, the question of who Governor Ajimobi would eventually back is expected to remain one of the major talking points within the Oyo State chapter of the APC.
Credit: Papermache.com
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