Makinde, Oyo PDP, others shun Adedibu’s book launch in Ibadan

… LG caretaker chairmen conspicuously absent

 

Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde and the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were on Thursday visibly absent at the launch of a book titled ‘Adedibu, the strongman and generalissimo of Nigerian politics’, in honour of a prominent leader of the party, late Chief Lamidi Adedibu.

The  local government Caretaker Chairmen in the state, including Ibadan Southwest local government council boss, failed to attend the book launch  chronicling the reign of the late political strategist, Adedibu as they were conspicuously absent.

While the governor failed to attend, he sent his Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka.

At the launch in Ibadan, Governor Makinde was officially invited and scheduled to play a major role, according to Mega Icon Magazine sources.

The book which was co-authored by former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarumi and Chief Lekan Saka, had in attendance, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who wrote the forward and also delivered the keynote address, former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala; Senator Teslim Folarin; Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor, Bisi Ilaka; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, former Secretary to the Oyo state government, Chief Olayiwola Olakojo, Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan, Alhaji Yekini Abass , Engr. Remi Oseni, Hon. Ademola Ige, among others.

The absence of Governor Makinde, Oyo state chapter of the PDP and local government council chiefs fueled speculations that there is a frosty relationship between the governor and the organisers of the event.

Curiously, Governor Makinde had earlier played host to former President Obasanjo at the Governor’s office on Thursday, who later attended the event.

Confidential  sources in the government told our reporter that the governor, who was in town, deliberately stayed away from the book launch. They stressed that Governor Makinde has come under serious criticism lately over alleged poor treatment of party members, alleging that the governor had stylishly abandoned the core party faithful who supported his ambition, especially the late Adedibu’s camp.

Speaking  at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo described  the late PDP leader as an honest politician, who left good legacies.

According to Obasanjo, the late Adedibu helped the PDP to win the governorship in Oyo State when he was the president.

Obasanjo stated that he learnt many lessons from late Adedibu who he said would put any money given to him on the table and asked his followers to share it.

The ex-President said that was why Adedibus’ loyalists never left him at anytime. He said he would not fail to do anything he promised to do.

However, some politicians loyal to the late Adedibu have faulted Governor Makinde’s action, describing it as unnecessary. They recalled that Chief Abosede Adedibu, wife of the late political godfather encouraged them to work for Governor  Makinde’s emergence in the last election, thus expecting the governor to replicate such gesture by honouring the invitation.