Widow of the late strongman of Oyo politics Alhaji Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu, Chief (Mrs) Bose Adedibu, has described her husband as a kind, loving and highly romantic man in his lifetime. Saying that contrary to the many lies being peddled about him, Adedibu was indeed a Godly man who was filled of human kindness.
Yeyelua, as Bose Adedibu is popularly called, made these shocking revelations and many more on a popular radio program, Parrot Xtra Hour on Radio, last week. The radio show, held on Space 90.1 F.M, Ibadan and anchored by Olayinka Agboola, didn’t only avail Alhaja Adedibu the opportunity to talk extensively on how she met and married Adedibu, but she was able to also correct some misconceptions about her Late husband. That all the atrocities attributed to Adedibu were actually committed, sometimes by his overzealous boys or followers.
Using an incident that transpired between Adedibu and an Ibadan-born legal luminary Chief Niyi Akintolà (SAN) as an example. Bose Adedibu stated that it was a big lie that Baba Adedibu directed for the man to be roughly handled. That it was perhaps Baba’s overzealous boys who acted on their own. The story was that Barr. Niyi Akintolà was bundled to Molete residence of the Late garrison commander of Ibadan politics inside car boot as the then Deputy Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly. According to Bose Adedibu, Baba Adedibu only invited Akintolà to his Molete home in order to settle some little political differences they had then.
‘’It was my Late husband who made him Deputy Speaker, so he couldn’t have planned to hurt him. He only sent for him when it became obvious he was liaising with the opposition. And he needed him on his side. You can ask Akintolà what Baba did for him when he eventually got to Baba.”
In fact, there was a time the then President Ibrahim Babangida invited Baba too. He needed Baba to support what he was doing as President and Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces. We first thought Baba would be killed. But he was returned to us in one piece, nothing was done to him.”
So when people who really didn’t know who Adedibu was start saying things about him, I always laugh. At times some people would just go and hang a sign somewhere, saying this and that land belongs to Baba Adedibu, my Late husband. Sometimes you would discover that he was not the one who sent them.
But Baba would always take his time to listen to both parties in the matter with the aim of resolving issues amicably. Baba was a good man. He hated cheating. You would also discover that he assisted a lot of people to build their homes. It is just that people do not show appreciation for a good turn.
They like going about peddling rumors about Baba. He was a man full of human kindness. He is no longer with us. I have already asked for forgiveness from people he may have offended. Nobody is perfect. Everybody will die one day. We should learn to forgive one another. When asked how she met and married Late Adedibu as the 4th wife, Alhaja Bose Adedibu has this to say. “Baba was just passing in front of our house one day when he saw me standing outside and having asked around, he sent a message to one of my brothers.
The person Baba sent was one of my brothers. It took almost one and a half year for me to agree to his proposal as he mounted pressures through some senior family members too. I behaved like the typical lady who was well brought up from a good home. I was afraid initially as I did not know him. Eventually, we got married. I was his fourth wife”. Bose Adedibu also revealed that despite being the 4th wife, there was peace among the wives and there is still peace within the family after his death.
“Alhaji Adedibu was a romantic husband who never allowed politics to be in the way of spending quality time with wives and children all together, and that is why there was and still mutual respect for one another in the family.
“Our marriage came about because it was ordained by God. It is destined. He was young then. He is a principled man even in politics and in family life and all relationships. He was always treating people well. But he doesn’t like being pressured.”
Also, on how she is been coping without Baba Adedibu 12 years after (Alhaji Adedibu died on 11th June 2008). She said it’s been the grace of God that has been sustaining her since the husband’s death. But will Bose Adedibu remarry? “It is not my priority at the present time. I don’t have any lover. But what is wrong with that? You Baba’s children should go and be preparing for that..(laughs).”
On her relationship with Governor Seyi Makinde and assessment of his government after one year in office. Bose Adedibu said she believes Engr. Seyi Makinde is doing well. That it may be too early to start comparing his a year plus in the office to the achievements of someone who use eight years.
“I know and I am sure Governor Seyi Makinde meant well for the people of Oyo State. He is doing well. The positive signs are there for all to see. You will also agree with me that it would be too early for his one year and some months to be compared to the achievements of someone who used eight years. He is on the right course. I pray for him to be successful. So that we can now come back, compare and contrast after his eight years.’ She further confirmed the perception that she is a kind of ‘godmother’ to the governor. Her words “I am proud to be seen as the godmother of the Governor of Oyo State. Yes, awa ni iyaa Governor”, she added.
She also announced her plan to encourage Governor Makinde to immortalize her late husband. “I am working on how the governor will immortalize Baba. I will say it here and always that Baba did his best for the state while alive. I do not see why he should not be immortalized. An estate or something more than that should be named after him.” Alhaja Bose Adedibu averred that she is not looking for any political appointment, nor hoping to contest for any public office in the future adding that her children are old and qualified enough to contest and occupy any office in Nigeria.
She, therefore, called on all politicians to shun do-or-die politics, saying that “I cannot fight anyone whether they are in APC, PDP or whatever. Many successful politicians in Nigeria passed through Baba and myself. All of us should see each other as brothers and sisters.
Alhaja Bose Adedibu, also used the medium to advise young girls of nowadays to take things easy, and have the fear of God in them and not to give to pressure by peer groups and learn to be good children to their parents.
“They must dress decently at all times because it is the way they dress that they will be addressed.
“Parents too have an important role to play. They should teach children about God and the consequences of following the bad route. The foundation is the most important. If you see my mum who is now 97 years old, you will know that she lived and still lives her life well.”
–Dare Adeniran
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