Ganduje: Late Olubadan’s Image Towered Beyond Ibadan

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, yesterday, described the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, as somebody whose image towered far above Ibadan, which he reigned over and the entire Oyo State.

Ganduje, who said this during a condolence visit to the Alarere, the Ibadan residence of the late monarch, stated that the late Oba Balogun was not only the father of Ibadan or that of Oyo State, but the father of Nigeria.

He described the death of the late Olubadan as very sad and shocking, but added that as human beings, there was nothing anybody could do to halt the inevitability of death when it was the appointed time by the Almighty Allah, adding that, “What we should do is to continue to pray for the repose of his gentle and peaceful soul.”

The APC National Chairman, who was bestowed with the honorary Chieftaincy title of Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland alongside his wife, as Yeye Aare Fiwajoye, recalled the colorful ceremony which was held in 2022, a few months after Oba Balogun came to the throne.

He also recalled the relationship between the late monarch and the former political leaders in the Northern part of the country, especially in Kano and Kaduna States, where both the late Abubakar Rimi and Balarabe Musa, held sway during the Second Republic, which he said had established unbroken bond between Ibadan and Kano.

The Aare Fiwajoye noted that, “Our late father made his marks on the sands of time. He left behind imperishable legacies as a bridge builder, peaceful and loving personality. His nationalistic outlook set him apart from his peers and we would continue to cherish our relationship.”

The younger brother of the late monarch, Senator Kola Balogun, while responding on behalf of the family, praised the steadfastness of Ganduje in his loving relationship with his late brother which he said the visit, less than a week after the sad incident, represented.