Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described the death of former Oyo State governor Abiola Ajimobi as a big loss to the All Progressives Congress and Nigeria as a whole.
Osinbajo, who stated this on Saturday when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Ajimobi in Ibadan, also revealed that the spirit of compromise, brotherhood and unending desire to see everyone working together which Ajimobi had will be a guide and direction for the party and country for years to come.
Osinbajo was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Dolapo; son, Fiyin and Deputy governor of the state, Remi Olaniyan on the commiseration journey.
He maintained that the death of the two-term governor was more painful considering the timing when the party and nation are undergoing rebuilding process, adding that the late former party leader was one of those critical to actualising the missions.
Osinbajo said: “Senator Abiola Ajimobi aside from the fact that I regarded him as a very dear elder brother was a major bridge builder in the party. He was someone we all considered one of those who could mediate practically any dispute, any situation by not just bringing humour but also light and direction and in very many situations and circumstances that we have seen and experienced as a party, as a people and all that.
“So, his death is a very significant one for our party. For us, it’s a very major loss and very unfortunate also at the time it came; especially this is a time we are trying to build the party and also a time of nation building. He was one of those that are critical in doing this. But I think his memory and all that he achieved while on earth and his ideas that he proffered remained with us and that spirit of compromise, that spirit of brotherhood and that his spirit of wanting everyone to work together is one that remains with us and we are proud and pleased that at least we have that.
“And that will be a guide and direction for us as we go forward in the years to come. So, it’s a great loss but we thank God that he lived and did all he did and that he has left an incredible memory and incredible legacies for us.”
The VP who during the visit encouraged and shared thoughts with Ajimobi’s widow, Dr. Florence and the children was also taken to see where the remains of the Ex-Governor was buried in the expansive Oluyole residence. He was received into the residence by Ajimobi’s son, Idris at about 4:25pm.
Top government functionaries that served during the administration of the late Governor were also in attendance as well as some service commanders.
