Adelabu: Between ambition and call to service

DARE ADEKANMBI captures the thrills and the glamour that accompanied the declaration of governorship intent by the immediate past Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Adebayo Adelabu in this report.

After a series of persistent calls on him to throw his hat into the ring for the governorship of Oyo State, immediate past Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Adebayo Adelabu, finally bowed to intense pressure from diverse segments of the state. In deference to the call for service delivery at the home front, he resigned from his juicy position at the apex bank. He was the most senior deputy governor of the Bank and was regarded as a potential successor to Governor Godwin Emefiele, in view of his contributions to the many successes of the CBN.

With his mind made up, he declared his governorship aspiration on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday with panache and class. In his convoy of about 200 vehicles were representatives of the different groups and bodies in the state such as market women, the political class, students’ representatives, professionals in the private sector and others.

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As early as 7:30 a.m., thousands of Adelabu’s supporters and admirers had begun to converge on the Bayo Adelabu Foundation (BAF) hall in Jericho preparatory to the take off the convoy. The BAF building in itself has been location where succour has come the way of thousands of residents of Oyo State through the various empowerment programmes of the Foundation. BAF has given scholarship worth millions of naira to students from the state; empowered widows and traders financially; cared for the needy; and provided basic infrastructure for the wellbeing of the people.

The first port of call for the entourage was the residence of the aspirant’s grandfather’s iconic building named Taj Mahal in Kudeti. The late Chief Adegoke Adelabu, popularly called Penkelemesi, was an articulate grassroots politician of pre-independence era and Nigeria’s first Federal Minister of Social Services and Natural Resources. Prayers were offered for Aspirant Adelabu, a second generation direct descendant of the “Stormy Petrel,” at the graveside of the late politician. The Imam of Oke-Oluokun, Alhaji Amidu Oluokun, who led the prayer, said “It is time for the young Adelabu, who is contesting for the office of the governor of the state, to reap the benefits of the love and compassion that his grandfather radiated to the people of the state and Nigerians in general. He was a man of the masses and loved across the country for his brilliance, a trait the young Adelabu has demonstrated in all the places he has worked, including the CBN.”

The next stop was the Ibadan South-East APC secretariat where party members in their hundreds eagerly awaited the arrival of their son. Party faithful, clad in Ankara attire chosen for the declaration ceremony, poured out in their numbers and lined the road to catch of a glimpse of Adelabu. At the party secretariat, eulogies were lavished on the aspirant. The party members and leaders expressed the confidence that, given Adelabu’s towering credentials and impeccable pedigree, he has a very bright change of clinching the ticket and be a worthy ambassador of the local government. Overwhelmed by the massive support from his council area, he donated a brand bus and N500, 000 to the party in the council and pledged a monthly donation of N250, 000 for the effective running of the party.

With the task done there, the entourage moved to Oke-Ado, state secretariat of the party where state party executive members were waiting to receive Adelabu and his team. After a few introductions of dignitaries, it was time for him to make his prepared declaration speech. As he spoke, the party leaders, who were proud to show off Adelabu as a worthy ambassador of the party, nodded in agreement.

The 47-year-old, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife- trained accountant, who finished with a First Class, left none in doubt that he has prepared well for the office he is gunning for, as he marshaled what he called my vision-the next level pyramid which encapsulates his programme of action for the good of the state and the welfare of its citizens. He identified sustenance of the prevailing security, agriculture/food security, housing, social infrastructure, education, transportation and environment as core areas to focus on if he emerges the party’s candidate and wins the election as governor.

“Why am I interested in the highest political office of the pace-setter state? I am interested because I have passion for the progress of my state and in the happiness of my people. I believe that talents, knowledge, training and experience are nothing if they are not put into achievements in the direction of human progress. They are like books on dusty shelves. They are inconsequential until when their contents are advanced towards uplifting the society.

“All acquisitions from the universities, work knowledge and professional practices as well as insights from private endeavours would go down the grace at the appointed time. The possessor might therefore put them into diligent actions for humanity. The useful man must do something useful if his existence is to have real values. These statements constitute a glimpse into the guiding principles of my desire.

“My disposition, principles, and aspiration are in line with the noblest ones in the world. I shall put them into actions in the service of the holy cause of human progress by God’s grace if my desire is blessed with God’s disposition. I, Adebayo Adelabu, a grandson of a founding father of our great country, Nigeria, the late Honourable (Alhaji) Adegoke Adelabu, whom Nigerians eulogise as “Peculiar Mess,” hereby present myself today to be of service to humanity through my desire to contest for the highest political office in Oyo State,” he said.

The strides recorded by the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi in the last seven years did not escape mention in Adelabu’s speech. “Our governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, is providing vibrant leadership in the direction of Restoration, Repositioning and Transformation of the state which has resulted into a watershed achievement for the current administration. Governor Ajimobi is a unique figure of destiny whose restorative management of the affairs of the state is giving new direction, new determination, and innovative developments across the length and breadth of the state…The governor’s era is indeed a re-awakening, a renaissance and a rebirth. Therefore, it is essential that subsequent leaders should build upon the solid foundations laid by our governor in order to avoid putting past efforts in vain.

“There is no presumption in my desire. There is no conceit in my nature and intention. My background is well known in Oyo State and Nigeria in general. Those who are fully familiar with my background know that it contains noble heritage of service to humanity, grassrooted childhood and youthful years, ground breaking academic careers, distinct professional practices and dedication to human progress through private endeavours,” he added.

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