1. He didn’t change the wardrobe he had before he became Governor throughout his 4years and three months tenure.
2. He lived in his personal house, built while previously working as an educationist, during his tenure. When President Shagari was to visit the state, he was compelled to renovate or upgrade the house. After the visit, the State government wanted to reimburse him, but he declined.
3. He had two cars before he became Governor. Upon his election one of his close friends, also a retired teacher or principal, who had no car requested for one of the two cars and he obliged him. After leaving office as Governor, his car broke down so he called on the friend to return the one he obliged him. The friend told him that too had broken down. I covered Ajasin’s burial in Owo as an Assistant Editor for Vanguard newspapers. He died leaving behind not a single state of the art jeep, not to think of a fleet of SUVS.
Perhaps, the above is the context in which we should situate the current debate over the Akala alleged properties that are now subject of legal dispute.
For further context:
Onabanjo in four years and three months, built Gateway hotels in Abeokuta, Ota and Ijebu-Ode, that were commercial successes and employed hundreds. He established the University in Ago-Iwoye now named after him and ran a free education programme, whatever limitations. Ajasin established what was formerly Obafemi Awolowo University, Ado- Ekiti in the old Ondo State and now called Ekiti State University. He also ran a free education programme among others. When the National Party of Nigeria attempted to rig him out in the 1983 Governorship elections, the people revolted.
Because of the more touted achievements of Governor Lateef Jakande in Lagos State – Housing Estates, LASU, Lagos Weekend Televsion, new Secretariat in Alausa, water transportation, General hospitals, etc, etc), Unity Party leader Chief Obafemi Awolowo was often pressurised to compare the achievements of his lieutenants but he wisely and rightly too mentioned that they were all faithful implementers of the Party’s four cardinal programmes. Among them, by the way, was Morbid Anatomy Professor Ambrose Alli, who was Governor of the old Bendel State (now divided into Edo and Delta States) whose ill health before passing on attracted support or sympathy even from his erstwhile political foes.
Now following Buhari’s coup of 1983 all were arrested, accused of corruption and jailed. However, all that the junta had against them was not a case of self-enrichment but donation of part of their security votes to the party.
Not to forget. As students’ union leaders and activists in the 1980s, most of the second Republic governors were to us bourgeois politicians who were still not doing enough. In instances, for example, when bursaries were delayed or not paid, protests erupted.
Back to context. In the Akala (and similar context) here and there, it would seem as if we protested against Saints.
