Forget whatever anybody is saying about the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. He remains a hugely misunderstood man. In addition to this, he is one of those especially beloved human beings who is loved by God despite his peccadilloes.
Certain political developments in the state prompted PMParrot/Parrot Xtra Magazine’s Editorial Team to embark on the project of speaking directly with him on Monday, June 18, 2018. So, our OLAYINKA AGBOOLA placed a call to him. He did not pick his call. We lost hope and continued with our day’s activities. Some three hours later, the Governor called back and sought to know why we wanted to speak with him. Here, we have excerpts of the telephone interview for your reading pleasure:
Good afternoon Your Excellency sir, we called earlier to clarify some developing political issues…
What issue is that?
The state’s political scene is bubbling with the news that you have just anointed Mr Joseph Tegbe, one of your economic consultants as the next governor of Oyo State…
Ha, that one? I have not anointed anybody. I do not have the power to anoint anybody. That power belongs only to God. And I am not God. You see, that is what all of them have been saying and I think that is what they want. I do not have the power to anoint o.
But why is everybody now spreading the word that Mr Tegbe is your man?
What I have simply done is to encourage our best brains to develop interest in politics. I am desirous of seeing brilliant, successful people venture into politics. I want as many of them in the game as possible. I want quality people to slug it out and at the end of the day, Oyo State will have the very best of the best emerging as its Governor after me.
But…
Mark what I am saying, I want the very best for the state. You may wish to recall that during one of our conversations, I told you that Oyo State deserves the very best. Yes, political adversaries may denigrate us and our humble achievements. We are not deterred. We are focused on raising the standards. We have done and we are still doing the best we can do. And we are not praying that the standard of governance should fall. Like I used to tell you, somebody better must succeed me. It is a serious prayer. And I know God will answer it.
Is that why you have decided to anoint someone sir?
No. Like I said, I do not have that power. It is God that does this. I don’t ever pretend to be God. You see, it is only God that anoints. When God anoints, our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will elect through free and fair means, then I will support as a loyal party member and leader too. That is exactly the sequence – God anoints, our party elects and I support.
We also read somewhere that you appointed former Deputy to late Alhaji Lam Adesina, Barrister Iyiola Oladokun to lead the team that will broker peace with the breakaway faction in APC, the Unity Forum…
Well, we welcome anybody that brings in the idea of brokering peace. We are peace loving people here in APC. All aggrieved persons and groups are being spoken to. Politics is a game of numbers. We desire peace. So, we encourage all those with sincere desire to bring more harmony, peace and unity into Oyo APC. That is all.
We would have loved to see you physically for a more elaborate interview session…
Not now. I am on my way to Abuja…
Thank you for calling back Your Excellency. Have a nice trip to Abuja sir.
Thank you too.
