The Source Magazine Online

...News from the depth, rooted in time

		Search Fo r
		Search Fo r

HOME

ARCHIVES

SUBSCRIPTION

ADVERT RATES

ABOUT US

APRIL 30, 2007 VOL. 21. NO 3

Adedibu: How He Out-Foxed His opponents

**Chief Lamidi Adedibu**

An insider account of how the Oyo State governorship election was won and lost inside the Molete home of the strongman of Ibadan politics, Chief Lamidi Adedibu
By Bayo Bernard
In the heart of Ibadan, former capital of the old Western Region, lies Molete, a high density part of the cosmopolitan city, where the residence of the avowed strongman of Ibadan politics and the progenitor of amala politics is domiciled.
Almost directly opposite the residence of this famous politician is the campaign office of the Oyo State Deputy Governor and Governor-elect, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, while the Molete flyover is almost over-looking Adedibu’s sprawling compound in the opposite direction.
A new comer visiting this political Mecca of sorts, will notice somethings which are very unusual: an army of people, male and female, young and old, thronging the large compound to seek the ear of the ‘Lion’ on matters related to politics or in some cases, to have the godfather endorse their ambition to venture into political landscape of Oyo State.
Instructively, The Source’s reporter is not a stranger to this way of life in Adedibu’s kingdom, having lived and schooled in Ibadan for about 25 years. Molete and neighbouring areas such as Oritamerin, Ogunpa, Beere are thus familiar curfs. Having had the opportunity to visit this particular area on many occasions, the den of the ‘Lion’ is no more an unusual place to visit, nor a strange thing to do even though this particular visit had a purpose different from the previous ones.
On this particular occasion, the visit is more significant, both in purpose and timing; it was during the governorship election held across the federation penultimate Saturday, April 14. This very day had no semblance with any other day as all the hushtling and burstling human and vehicular traffic that is a major phenomenon in this part of the city, were totally absent, except for the heavily armed militarymen who were stationed in strategic places to maintain law and order during the polls.
Like other well meaning and patriotic Nigerians who visited the bulky and stout politician on this day, this reporter almost fret at the presence of the Khaki boys who looked at passers-by menancigly, that he was almost dissuaded from doing his legitimate duty. Although, the belief of many was that the soldiers were mobilised out of the barracks to prevent disordeliness, quite frankly, they may have been serving other purpose than the one known to the general public.
The first thing to be noticed by a newcomer as he/she ventures into the compound is a large art work on which is emblazoned the photograph of the politician with a caption.” Adedibu: An Institution.”
Even though many Nigerians are still wondering why a semi-literate individual like Adedibu could qualify for such respect and worship which are specially reserved for kings and queens, the fact still remains that fate has smiled on the man, and no matter the disposition of his detractors, he commands the respect of the high, the powerful and the lowly.
To show his influence with people in the corridors of power, a mini-police post is situated in his large compound, perhaps, to ward off bitter individuals who may want to vent their anger on the octogenarian .
Whatever other purpose it was meant to serve, it is a fact that it pays off considering the tranquility and peace that are enjoyed by occupiers and visitors who come to do ‘business’ with the godfather.
On Saturday, April 14, while the governorship election was going on, at about 1:15 pm, Alhaji Adedibu was spotted on a chair, dorning a lemon lace brocade material which speaks of the ambience of people in his social class. Like a generalissimo in war front, he busied himself attending to ‘generals’ (many of whom are thugs and miscreants) who came to give him “situation reports” on the progress of the elections. As they presented their cases, they bowed in homage to their benefactor; in fact, the kind of reverence that Adedibu gets will surprise Kings and Queens of many famous Kingdoms. Perhaps, it is because of this that the grand old man was given the appendage “Alaafin Molete,” – meaning the King of Molete.
Unknown to many also, Alhaji Adedibu operates what can be described as an open government: he eats in the same plates with his trusted aides and share booties in the open and in their presence. A close member of the family once told The Source that Adedibu does not eat alone, neither does he covet proceeds from politicians to his personal use. According to this source, whatever politicians bring to his palace, the old man makes sure each and everybody present receives his share, no matter how small or big your pedigree.
This openess and freedom explains why this reporter had the opportunity to sit close to him on this very day. Less than 10 metres from where the reporter was seated, having toured the length and breath of the the city for newsworthy events that would interest The Source readers, he rounded it off with a visit to the biggest masquerade of the election. Adedibu.
As he sat heavyily tired, with his back to a big artwork embossed with impressions of famous politicians such as Tafawa Balewa, Aminu Kano, Samuel Akintola, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Shehu Shagari etc., he listened to every man and woman bring tit-bits of the governorship election to the PDP chieftain to ponder and take necessary decision.
Personally, he was pained because in a civilised society Adedibu and his army of hangers-on would have at least thought of a place safe enough to discuss their ‘classified’ matters, and not in the open,where they neither cared about who might be listening to them, nor were they apprehensive of the consequences of their actions.
In the presence of men of the Nigerian police and other members of the public present, the thugs were giving their benefactor details of how and where they intended to steal ballot boxes. They actually told him in the presence of everyone present how many ballot boxes they had already stolen, the resistance they encountered and the casualties on their side and that on the side of the opponents.
At about 1:45 pm, when every bit of the election reports have been given to him, most of which were not favourable except in Ibadan South west, the political base of the Ibadan strongman, where minor resistance was recorded, Adedibu swung into action to, perhaps, forestall any defeat against his party.
Of all the election news that was brought to him, the only one that gave him respite was the missives from his ‘foot soldiers’ in Oke-Ado where they reported that they had snatched 10 ballot boxes. The area is believed to be controlled by the ANPP and Action Congress (AC).
To quickly forestall any consequence that may arise from underrating his political opponents, Adedibu quickly consulted with some of his trusted confidantes, among whom is the Deputy Governnor-elect, Taofeek Arapaja, a member of the National Assembly and Alhaja Bose, Baba’s youngest wife.
During the discussion that lasted less than five minutes, it was agreed that some Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) be consulted, because according to Baba’s wife “the soldiers are not co-operating.” Most of the thugs that brought situation reports also attested to the fact that the major resistance they encountered was the soldiers who bluntly refused all advances to lure them to support their clandestine adventures.
By the time it was 2p.m, the situation was no more palatable, inspite of the fact that Baba had spoken with some DPO’s who assured him of their co-operation. Inspite of the assurance from his police friends, the old man’s resolve to launch the next ballot-box snatching attack was not totally acceptable to his comrades, many of whom had suffered assault and battery from soldiers who were bent on doing their job.
Down inside this reporter, he thought at that point the avowed strongman had lost his strength and may have decided to throw in the towel, but to his consternation, what would have downed Adedibu’s morale actually served as the impetus that propelled him to want to fight the battle to the end. Ordinarily, one would have expected the old man to start to vent anger on his aides and the political thugs who are the instruments’ for election manipulation, but he took everything calmly, a composure that is rare among his ilk. The tact and strength that the man shows during crisis may have seen responsible for the confidence he enjoys among his political associates and thugs.
The moment of decision nobody seemed to know what to do. Infact, the fear by his youngest wife that the opposition was winning on all fronts was not enough to distract Baba’s composure and concentration at this critical moment.
This reporter took the opportunity to consider other attractions in this vast compound that houses the present most powerful politician in Oyo State and beyond. Above all, inspite of the fact that he had visited on many occasions he still marvel at the collection of his assorted automobiles which included the current Lincolin series and other Mercedes Benz models. Walahi, this man has good tastes.
Unfortunately, the man who owns these fleet of cars rarely used them as he prefers spacious automobiles where he can comfortably sit in the company of trusted aides who are ever ready to put their life on the line to save their bread-winner whenever the situation demands such.
By the time this writer returned from his reverie, Adedibu had decided to lead his platoon of foot soldiers to the war front. For a man who is always at risk of being lynched, no vehicle would have been more appropriate at this time than any available anti-ballistic vehicle, but instead he choose the only Toyota Hilux bus, which was immediately filled with his aides in both sides before the godfather finally settled in their midst.
Baba’s departure from the compound brought life back to the desolatory faces of those that were left to take care of the home front, relatives and friends alike as they suddenly felt that, finally, victory is underway.
How this reporter loved to be among them that left alongside the godfather,, as he departed gracefully amid cheers and claps by almost everybody present. But the nature of this journalist job, and the fear that his thugs might eventually fish him out, coupled with the fact that vehicular movement was barred during the election hours, could not afford him a life-time opportunity to see Adidibu command his troops in battle.”
He still wonders how, inspite of all the militarymen stationed in around his house, the old man was let loose, unhindered and unchecked to move around Ibadan that day, when infact, an express ban had been placed on the movement of humans and vehicles.
This actually raises a huge question mark on the supposed non-partisanship of all the security agencies that were on duty that day. It also shows that the high and mighty in Nigeria are truly behind this man and whatever nefarious acts he commits.
He spent the remaining time doing a survey of the entire compound, enjoying himself like any other friend of the family, but days after his return to Lagos, he still marvel at the man called Adedibu.
Anyway, it doesn’t matter the reservation people have about him, we guess what really maters is that the winner of the governorship election in Oyo State have been declared, and that single decision by Adedibu to lead his soldiers to the war front, on that fateful Saturday afternoon paid off, afterall.