Oyo Speaker’s Death: Ajimobi Still Shattered, Visits Parents, Monarchs
The death of the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo, has left the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in sombre mood even when he led the State Executive Council and Assembly members on a condolence visit to the deceased country home, Lanlate, on Saturday.
The sudden death of the 47-year-old speaker, early Friday morning, had thrown the entire state into gloom, following which the governor declared three-day of mourning during when flags are expected to be flown at half mast.
Since the sad incident occurred, the governor had been visibly devastated and had not made any public appearance, except during Saturday’s visit to the late speaker’s parents, monarchs and political leaders in Ibarapa zone, throughout when he fought back tears.
During the visits, the governor had refrained from making comments or uttering a word at each stop, only signing the condolence register opened at the Lanlate home of the Adeyemos.
The governor was in company with his wife, Chief Florence Ajimobi; Deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo; all executive council members; members of the House of Assembly, led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abdulwasi Musa; State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Akin Oke, among others.
Amidst intermittent sobs, the parents of the late speaker, Chief Matthew and Mrs. Dorcas Adeyemo, had inaudibly said that a “monumental tragedy” had befallen them.
The governor also visited the Arowooje of Lanlate, Oba Lateef Olagoke; the Eleruwa of Eruwaland, Oba Samuel Adegbola, in their palaces to commiserate with the monarchs on the death of their illustrious son.
Adeyemo, who had represented the Ibarapa East State Constituency since 2011, was the highest ranking political figure from Ibarapa zone and was also the first from the zone to occupy the number three seat for two terms.
In his condolence message, the governor said that the death of the speaker was the greatest loss his administration and the All Progressives Congress family in the state had so far recorded.
Ajimobi wrote, “He was a brilliant, eloquent, intelligent, diligent and most patriotic speaker I ever met. He contributed immensely to the success of this (Ajimobi’s) administration.
“He was a peacemaker, bridge builder and a great son of Lanlate, Oyo State and Nigeria. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
Speaking on behalf of the Lanlate monarch, the Osi Lanlate, Chief Adegboye Adelani, described the death of Adeyemo as a tragic loss to the town and the Ibarapa zone, following what he called his monumental contributions to their development.
The monarch assured the governor of the continued support of the people of the zone for his administration and the APC in spite of the death of the speaker.
He said, “I cannot begin to recount the positive contributions of Adeyemo to the progress and development of our land. He was our illustrious son whom we hold in high esteem. I appeal to the governor to continue to remember Lanlate for good, in memory of our son.
“My other appeal is to his colleagues in the Assembly to uphold the legacy of peace and sustain the existing cooperation between them and the executive, which Adeyemo established during his period as speaker of the House.”
Speaking on behalf of the late speaker’s family, a leader of the APC in Ibarapa zone, Apostle Samson Aderounmu, said that the parents and the entire family were taken aback by the news of his sudden death.
The APC leader said that he held a meeting with the late speaker on the eve of his death, during when he said he did not show any sign of illness or premonition that he was seeing him for the last time.
Since the sad news filtered through Lanlate and the entire Ibarapa zone, he said that family, friends and political associates and leaders of the deceased had been in anguish.
The Eleruwa said that he saw and ebullient and lively speaker when he visited him in his palace a few days ago to commiserate with him and the people of Eruwa on the death of one of the prominent chiefs in the town.
Oba Adegbola said, “It is not until the sad news of his death was broken to us that the entire zone realized the enormity of favour done to us with the zoning of the position of the speaker of the state Assembly to us. Adeyemo was a very responsible and caring son of the land.
“His death is a great loss to the state and the country as a whole. He will be remembered for his ability to manage the House peacefully and for promoting stability in the state. Our greatest pain is that he left behind his parents and young children.”
