Breaking News: Lamidi Adedibu, strong man of Ibadan politics is dead
Ibadan - Self-styled strongman of Ibadan politics and a leading figure in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu on Wednesday passed on at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
He died at 3.47 pm, some 40 minutes after he was rushed to the hospital. Before his eventual passage, the octogenarian was rumoured to be seriously ill, though he often denied it. The late Adedibu had for sometime now battled the undisclosed ailment before he eventually succumbed on Wednesday. He is to be buried on Thursday according to Islamic rites.
While confirming his death, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the College, Dr Adeniyi Adenipekun said the politician died around 3.27 pm. It was reliably gathered that Adedibu died of diabetes-related ailment.
According to Adenipekun, “Adedibu was brought in around 2.30pm, we learnt he was coming from Lagos and he had to branch at the immigration office before coming to UCH. We learnt he slumped at the immigration office and he was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Department where we received him because we were told he was being brought.
By the time he was brought in, he was actually lifeless without any pulse but we took him over immediately and we took him to the Intensive care unit where we did every possible resuscitative measure but we were not able to get him back.
Well, since he was not our primary patient, I will not know the cause of his death and again the relations refused post-mortem so I would not know the cause of his death.”
Other people at the hospital were the Speaker of the state assembly, Moruf Atilola and some members of the Assembly; and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Razak Gbadegesin.
Alhaji Adedibu had in recent times also been having trouble with the law, after having been tricked to Abuja to face prosecution. He was release by the courst on self recorgnition with the promise to be of “good behavior”.
Click here to read the story about his court arraignment.
Nigerians pay homage
Several eminent Nigerians such as former president, Olusegun Obasanjo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that Adedibu’s place and role would be difficult to fill. “There will be no one to equal his feat in the politics of Ibadan and Oyo State since its creation just as no one was able to equal the feat of Alhaji Busari Adelakun, alias ‘Eruobodo’. “It is the end of an era,” Obasanjo said, adding: “nobody can replace him.” The former president said Adedibu called him to say hello only two days ago.
A former governor of Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, described the late politician as a man who lived well. He said, “he was a very humorous man who got results from the style of politics he played, though his style of politics may not be elegant and learned. Adedibu had been a challenge. He played his game well. “Many condemned him that he played “amala and gbegiri politics, but the truth of the matter is that if you get to other politicians in Ibadan , they would not even offer you a bowl of amala”.
“He died when his adversaries wanted him dead. He had his own weak and strong points. One should thank God for him.
Also speaking on the death of the strongman of Ibadan politics, Information and Communications Minister, Mr John Odey, said his death was “quite unfortunate; quite shocking. “We remember him as an elder statesman. We also remember his commitment to politics,” Odey added.
In his comments, spokesman for Oyo State Governor, Prince Dotun Oyelade, told NAN that Adedibu belonged to that uncommon specie. “They emerge only once in a lifetime. The governor of Oyo State is in France with Mr President and is making frantic efforts to come back home with the next available flight.” Baba is irreplaceable,” Oyelade said of Adedibu. In his tribute to his political mentor, Rep Lanre Agoro (PDP-Oyo), who expressed shock and belief, said he was a phenomenon whose type of politics would be difficult to find.
He is survived by several offspring including a sitting Nigerian Senator.
June 13th, 2008 at 11:00 am
It is a very sad news. i believe it is is time to go, he has done his bit in this world and we should apprietiate his work. To some people he was a great man and to other they might think he was a bad man. I have heard a lot about what he has done positively to nigeria(ibadan), it out way what people are complaining about. i respect him because he was a man of principle and other people might be offented. He did his best to help nigeria, so we people that are thinking he was bad , one question u should ask ur self ( what positive thing have u done to our country) if ther is nothing , i will advice you to short up and pray that u get to the position he was before he died. if u can not get there it mean u are not worthy to be there.In the bible it was written that there is time to be born and a time to die, a time to laugh and a time to die. so people of nigeria have a heart and have to god that he rest in peace. we all will die someday.
i was a very good man