Five Years On: Senator Abiola Ajimobi Remembered for Legacy of Visionary Leadership

Five Years On: Senator Abiola Ajimobi Remembered for Legacy of Visionary Leadership

Five years after his passing, the legacy of Senator Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi—the late former Governor of Oyo State—continues to resonate in the hearts of those who knew him and in the enduring transformation he brought to the state he once led.

In a heartfelt tribute, politician and former gubernatorial aspirant, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, reflected on the life and legacy of the late statesman, describing him as “a leader, a reformer, a mentor, and a man of rare vision and resilience.”

“Though the pain of your loss still lingers, so does the strength of your legacy,” Tegbe wrote. “You were truly one of a kind.”

Senator Ajimobi, who served as the Governor of Oyo State from 2011 to 2019, was widely credited for ushering in an era of developmental reforms that redefined the state’s infrastructure, urban planning, environmental policies, and internal security.

“Your passion for development was unmatched. You reshaped Oyo State for the better,” Tegbe noted. “Your strategic thinking, eloquence, and wit set you apart as a firm and principled leader, one who stood boldly for what he believed in, regardless of opposition.”

Recalling his personal experience working closely with the late Governor, Tegbe praised Ajimobi’s attention to detail, discipline, and results-driven leadership style.

“You were a man of grit and grace. You combined vision with action, led with charisma, governed with intellect, and served with uncommon courage,” he said.

Beyond politics, Ajimobi was remembered as a devoted family man who deeply cherished his wife, Dr. (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, and their children and grandchildren. His unwavering commitment to family, Tegbe added, was one of his most admirable personal qualities.

“Five years on, we do not only mourn your absence, we celebrate your life—your courage, your achievements, and the many lives you touched,” the tribute continued. “You live on in the transformed skyline of Oyo State and in the indelible lessons you left behind.”

Senator Abiola Ajimobi passed away on June 25, 2020, at the age of 70. He remains the only person in the history of Oyo State to have served two consecutive terms as governor.

“May the Lord Almighty continue to grant you eternal rest,” Tegbe concluded. “Keep resting, Oga. You are dearly missed but never forgotten.”