Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday disclosed how he still remained undecided about which governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to support as the party’s candidate 12 hours before the party’s primaries.
Dropping details of the steps he took before arriving at the party’s governorship candidate, Ajimobi said he sought direction from God in the final hours preceding the primaries until he was struck with the divine message to support Adebayo Adelabu’s candidature.
Ajimobi, who spoke at the foundation laying ceremony of the Abiola Ajimobi Auditorium, one of the activities marking his 69th birthday, attributed his dilemma to the fact that many aspirants were qualified in their various fields, looked well-to-do, while advice also seemed to show religious biases.
Ajimobi, however, urged all who are aggrieved at his decision to support Adelabu to forgive him, noting that Adelabu’s choice was God’s will.
Nigerian Tribune quoted Ajimobi as saying that “I asked various groups of people, traditional rulers, elders, but they said it was difficult for them to chose for me, that they will support whoever I choose. At a point, I withdrew from everybody.
“I then asked my wife to meet with Christians, and she returned with the name of a Christian. Similarly, I asked someone to meet with the Muslims to give me their choice of candidate and he also returned with the name of a Muslim. So, the confusion remained.
“I looked at their credentials, I saw that three had First Class, one in accountancy, the other in engineering and another in economics. In terms of stature, I looked at the candidates, several of them looked well fed, even pot-bellied in like manner. So, I remained undecided on whom to support.
“About 12 hours before the primaries, I went to God for direction in my room and something hit me that Adelabu was the right choice. He will become the next governor.
“I pray that Adelabu will not be misled by some politicians. All those who opposed and supported you (Adelabu) are now one. I beg everyone that might have been offended in the course of my decision to support Adelabu to forgive me. I didn’t choose Adelabu but God did. God only used me to chose Adelabu, he is God’s will. Moreover, he (Adelabu) is eminently qualified. He has similar characteristics like mine,” Ajimobi said.
Meanwhile, Ajimobi again avowed that Adelabu will emerge his successor and had no choice than improve upon his strides in Education, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security.
“I will like to be remembered as the father of modern Oyo State. We promised to leave Oyo State better than we met it and I can boldly say that we are leaving it better than we met it. We are leaving Oyo state better than we met it from Education to Health, Infrastructure (Social and Physical), security. In education, we recorded the best result in the Senior School Certificate Examination in 18 years. School Governing Boards is the best thing that has happened to education,” Ajimobi added.
