Ajimobi: Buhari, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Fayemi, Oyetola, Ambode, PDP, others mourn

President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the government and people of Oyo State over the passing of former Governor Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, whose contributions to the development of the state, and nation, will always be remembered.
In a condolence message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Thursday, the President commiserated with the family of the former governor, who served the country as a Senator, 2003, before winning the governorship election in 2011.
The president noted that the deceased remained steadfast and consistent in his progressive views, and working assiduously for the creation of the All Progressives Congress.
According to him, Ajimobi, aged 70,  left the world at a crucial moment when the party and the country needed his counsel to heal and grow, noting that his absence would be sorely felt by all associates, particularly in the APC.
The President prayed that the almighty God would comfort the family of the former governor, and grant him a peaceful rest.
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in his tribute, said: “Former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, passed away today. With his departure, Nigeria has lost an outstanding statesman and one of its most able politicians. Our party, the All Progressives Congress, has lost one of its leading lights. The Yoruba race and Oyo State have lost a favourite son. I have lost a dedicated friend, brother and ally.
The pain we feel at his passing is beyond what words can describe. This good and excellent man has left us but his energy, activism and commitment to Nigeria and its people shall always be with us.
He was reputed to be the best and most productive governor Oyo State has had. In this assessment, I concur as do so many others. The numerous infrastructural and public works projects he initiated literally changed the face of Oyo for the better. His legacy as a governor will be an enduring and positive one. The first governor to serve two consecutive terms in Oyo, he broke a political jinx that many said could not be broken.
The people of Oyo were wise and very well served to have elected him their governor for eight years. I also shall always remember and hold dear the vital contributions he made to the establishment of our party and how he worked with great commitment and sagacity to enshrine progressive governance in the party, Oyo and Nigeria itself.
His recent emergence as Deputy National Chairman of our party was in affirmation of his many years of service and devotion to the pursuit of democratic governance. The history of the APC cannot be squarely written without him.
Ajimobi was my friend and brother. He was honest and forthright. He had the interest of the people at heart. We shared a common progressive vision for our country and how to bring prosperity, justice and hope to its people. I had hoped that we could achieve more together but the ultimate wisdom and all our fates rest in the hands of Almighty Allah who knows best.
At his core, Senator Ajimobi was a family man. He was a loving husband and father. My heart grieves for his wife, Florence, and their children. May they find the comfort that only Almighty Allah can provide at this moment.
Ajimobi’s death hurts. Yet, we must all find strength in the good way he lived his life and in the fine and good ideals for which he fought. We must carry on with the important task ahead because that is what my dear friend and brother would expect of us.
My prayer is that the Munificent Allah shower mercy upon him, reward his good deeds, and admit him to Aljanna Firdaus”.
Also, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Thursday mourned Ajimobi, describing him as a pillar of support to the Forum.
Chairman of the Forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, in a statement by Mr Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the Head, Media and Public Affairs of the Forum’s Secretariat in Abuja, offered condolences to the family of late Ajimobi.
Fayemi said late Ajimobi was not just a colleague to the governors but was also a pillar of support to the NGF whose contributions to the Forum’s debates were filled with wisdom besides their depth.
“While he was governor of Oyo State, the late Ajimobi was not just one member of the NGF who left indelible impressions in the minds of all members who were fortunate to have served during his time but also provided valuable counsel to the NGF Secretariat.
“With insight and foresight, the late Ajimobi encouraged the strengthening of ties between governors and served as a counsellor to other governors including my humble self.
“For a man of 70, he was not just ebullient but was lively while being fatherly.
“There was never a dull moment with the late former governor,” Fayemi said.
Fayemi noted that he had personally followed developments since news of his lung surgery broke and when he showed signs of recovery.
The Forum chairman said he was happy at the news of the recovery.
“However, our hopes sank a bit once it was said that he had slipped into a coma.
“We prayed and continued to hope that he got out of coma and recovered but man proposes and God, the infinite arbiter, disposes,” he said.
Fayemi said that NGF honoured Ajimobi’s legacy and mourned his loss along with his family and friends.
He prayed to Allah (SWT) to grant him “Jinnatul Fiddausi” and his family the fortitude to bear this great loss.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the death as a great loss to his family, the people of Oyo State and the country as a whole.
 
The Governor added that he is saddened by the loss.
 
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile on Thursday, said Ajimobi’s shocking demise, after all efforts by medical professionals to stabilize him, when he took ill, has opened a deep sore in the hearts of millions of Nigerians, who looked up to him as a rallying point and a political stabilizer.
 
He said: “the passage of Senator Ajimobi hurt me. My heart was filled with grief when I was informed that I had lost another political icon our battle against the coronavirus.”
 
“Senator Ajimobi was more than a politician, he was a man of many parts, whose managerial skills and experience are required at this critical period in our national life.” 
 
 “Senator Ajimobi was a distinguished Nigerian, who bestrode the economic and political space of the country like a colossus. He made his mark in the corporate world before venturing into politics.
 
“As first elected Governor to serve two terms in Oyo State, his achievements will remain indelible in the annals of political history of that State and Nigeria as a whole.”
 
While commiserating with the deceased’s family, Sanwo-Olu urged them to take heart, saying ‘‘the death of loved ones is usually one of the most painful episodes in peoples’ lives but we must realise that death is inevitable. We all will die someday. Therefore we must gather enough strength to carry on.”
 
“It is with heavy heart that I commiserate with his beloved wife, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, the children and other family members he left behind. My heart and prayers are with you all at this period of your grief. May God comfort you.”
 
“May Allah grant the soul of late Isiaka Ajimobi eternal rest and preserve a place for him in Aljanah firdaus.” Sanwo-Olu said.
 
Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State also commiserated with the Ajimobi family.
Oyetola, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, in Osogbo on Thursday, described Ajimobi’s death as unfortunate, painful and a great loss.
The governor said his thoughts and prayers were with the Ajimobi family, the All Progressives Congress(APC) and the people of Oyo State.
“I am shocked and saddened by the demise of Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
“His death is unfortunate, painful and a huge loss.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Ajimobi family, his loved ones, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the people of Oyo State, whom he served meritoriously as governor for eight years,” the governor said.
Oyetola noted that Ajimobi’s administration brought reforms and unprecedented development to Oyo and its people, adding that he changed the face of governance in the state.
He said: “As a two-term governor, Senator Ajimobi redefined governance in Oyo State.
”His administration embarked on unprecedented infrastructure development in the state and redefined the urban status and development profile of not only the capital city, Ibadan, but other major cities in the state.
“Senator Ajimobi was also a true progressive and a loyal party man. He was committed to the ideals of the APC and will be sorely missed by the party.”
Oyetola prayed to Almighty Allah to overlook his shortcomings and grant him Aljanah Firdaus.
He also asked God to comfort his family and loved ones.(
The Northern Governors Forum (NGF) expressed sadness on Ajimobi’s death.
In a condolence message in Jos, the NGF Chairman, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, said that Ajimobi’s death was painful.
Lalong described the deceased as a man of integrity, who served Oyo people and Nigeria with excellence.
He said that Ajimobi’s leadership qualities and significant roles in the formation of the All Progressives Congress endeared him to many.
He said that the attributes led to his appointment as the party’s Deputy National Chairman, South.
”The late Ajimobi’s contributions to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria during his career made a significant impact on its growth and development,” the NGF chairman said.
Lalong condoled with Ajimobi’s wife, children and entire family, urging them to take solace in his legacies and accept his death as the will of God.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State expressed deep regrets at the death of Ajimobi, describing the incident as “end of an era.”
Abiodun, in a statement in Abeokuta by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Kunle Somorin, noted that Ajimobi died when his services were most needed in the nation.
“At this time, Ajimobi’s sagacity would have made a critical difference in statecraft and political engineering of Nigeria,” he said.
The governor stated that the incident was not only a loss to the family of the deceased and Oyo State, but marked the end of an era for Nigeria because of the circumstances of the present time.
“Senator Ajimobi was a phenomenal public servant and business entrepreneur.
“He broke the second term jinx in the governance of his state and had served at the Senate as a Principal Officer and Deputy Minority Whip creditably before attaining that height.
“He impacted on both the lawmaking and executive arms in a matter that history cannot forget.
“At the twilight of Sen Ajimobi’s sojourn on earth, he had been touted as a possible Acting Chairman of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) because many believed in his ability to restore the party to its path of honour,” Abiodun said.
The governor recalled that late Ajimobi had always demonstrated himself as a crisis manager, adding that he was a respected brand manager in the private sector.
” The late Ajimobi proved his mettle by getting to the peak of his career in the oil and gas sector.
” He was profound, diligent, resourceful and enthusiastic and would be sorely missed.
“Posterity will accord him his due recognition for his legacies of service and forthrightness.
“His unwavering support for causes he believed in was legendary and on a personal level, he was a confidant who threw his weight behind my bumpy journey to the office,” he said.
Abiodun prayed for the repose of Ajimobi’s soul and that Allah grant his family, associates and the government of Oyo State the fortitude to bear the loss.
Former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, expressed sadness over the
 
Ambode, in a statement by his media aide, Habib Aruna, described Ajimobi’s demise as a personal loss, saying that the former governor meant more than a brother and a colleague to him.
 
“I received the news of Ajimobi’s demise with a heavy heart. This is a great loss to me. I can easily recall so many fond memories we shared when we were Governors of our respective States. We were very close during the period and I saw him as an elder brother always.
 
“He was always full of wisdom, very witty, always willing to provide his honest opinion on issues. His political sagacity was one I admired from afar and I am glad to have shared many memorable moments with him,” he said.
 
Ambode said Ajimobi’s eight years as Governor was remarkable, saying that his strides across the length and breadth of Oyo State will never be forgotten in a hurry.
 
“Ajimobi was very passionate about his state, the Yoruba agenda and the Nigerian project. He was a progressive party man to the core and Oyo citizens will testify to the fact that he left the State better than he met it,” he said.
 
Ambode also condoled with the family of the late Oyo governor, urging his widow, Florence, to take solace in the fact that her husband lived a fulfilled life and left an indelible mark on his people.
 
“This is a big loss. As much as he was a politician, he was also a devoted family man. I pray that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and his entire family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the former Lagos governor said.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the death as a national tragedy.
The party said this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, on Thursday in Abuja.
Ologbondiyan said the death of the immediate former Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a huge loss not just to the APC but the entire nation.
He said the deceased was an exceptionally brilliant administrator, outstanding legislator and a man of peace, who made immense contributions and sacrifices towards the unity, political stability and development of the nation.
“Sen. Ajimobi was an excellent administrator and broadminded Nigerian, who put the good of the nation ahead of other considerations in his political life.
“Indeed, our party is still in shock and deeply saddened over the news of the death of Ajimobi, especially at this time, when our nation needed his wealth of experience and statesmanship the most.”
The PDP, according to Ologbondiyan, commiserates with the Ajimobi’s family, particularly his widow, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, President Muhammadu Buhari, the national leadership of the APC, the government and people of Oyo State.
He prayed God to grant the nation the fortitude to bear the loss and eternal repose to the faithful departed.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, says he is saddened by Ajimobi’s death.
Babatope, who gave the reaction on Thursday in Lagos, described Ajimobi as a consumate politician, saying he had some personal connection with the former governor.
“The news of Ajimobi’s death came to me as rude shock; I am saddened by his demise.
“I knew Ajimobi well. His father was a member of the UPN led by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and I was a strong member of that party.
“So, Ajimobi was just like a brother, even though I am a PDP man. I am sad he is gone. He  was such a nice man. His death is painful”, he said.
He prayed to God to grant his soul peaceful repose, and give the family fortitude to bear the loss.
The Postmaster General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Postal Service, Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, said in his tribute “The news of the passing of our former Governor, Alhaji Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi came to me as a rude shock. 
“We had prayed fervently last week when the news went viral of his demise with very high expectations that he would live much longer especially with our conviction he still had more to offer for the growth and development of our state in particular and Nigeria in general.
“Death, however, is a necessary end and must come when it must come. We are only consoled by fact that he lived a fulfilled life.
“He was a successful personality in the corporate world and he made his indelible marks within the political firmament of our dear country.
“On behalf of myself and my family, I commiserate with the entire Ajimobi family, the All Progressive Congress at all levels; his political associates and the entire people of our dear state on the passing of this great man. 
We shall all miss him.”