Well, it has been just over a month since Chief Lamidi Adedibu departed these parts.  The erstwhile Garrison Commander of Ibadan and Oyo State politics is probably plying his trade in Hades – slowly but surely creating elbow room and establishing a small territory for himself.  But Hades’ gain is Oyo State’s loss (or vice versa).

Certainly it is a loss to the multitude of miscreants; opportunists; destitutes and motor park touts that have made Adedibu’s home their second home.  It is also a loss to the lazy politicians who would rather go to Adedibu, pay the man, and have him thrust them into one political office or the other.  They would now have to work a bit harder for their “mandates.”

One of the greatest tragedies of the Adedibu “era” was the notion he sold to the people; and that was readily parroted by quite a few politicians both within and outside Ibadan that his was a brand of practical or “grass root” politics.  It wasn’t.  Adedibu never truly fed or cared for anyone.  He groomed and nurtured an underclass that ensured his perfidious reign and kept him relevant.  Adedibu’s “grass root” politics was a variant of what largely obtained (?obtains) in some northern parts of Nigeria.  The destitute are held down by a tokenistic mess of porridge.  They are fed, clothed and educated enough to keep them as loyal slaves to master.  They are generally kept just hungry enough to make them too unmotivated and ensure that they come back for more; but not too hungry to launch a full scale revolt.  It is the reverse of the “teach-a-man-how-to-fish” theory.

Paradoxically, the resources that is meant to free these “masses” from their dependence; the resources that is required to teach them how to properly fish for themselves - feed themselves, clothe themselves, educate themselves, etc, is crudely and strong-armed ransomed off various governments and State agencies – a tiny proportion of which is used to feed them enough to make them gratefully dependent and commit their future to the defence of their “benefactor.”

That is the Adedibu brand of social politics.  This is what Obasanjo was trying to replicate at the Federal level of governance.  That evil and short-sighted template doesn’t lend itself to creative thinking and long term problem resolution.  There is a danger that with the demise of its prime advocate (certainly in southern Nigeria), the political pendulum might again favour the progressives.  That was what probably brought OBJ to tears at Adedibu’s interment.

Some southern Nigerians like to (rightly) talk down the Almajiri system up north; but when Adedibu unleashed an almost exact adult system in Ibadan, they called it populist and pragmatic politics.  Yeah right!  To emphasise the ‘genius’ of the system this man put in place: His dynasty is likely to pass-on to a character called Tokyo – a motor park ex-convict.

Adedibu saw politics narrowly as warfare and not as mass empowerment.  He ensured that informed and enlightened politics and discourse was killed in Oyo State.  He dragged that once dynamic State down to his own level (through sheer savagery) the same way northern Emirs did all those years ago.  The only difference was that he wasn’t doing it to maintain the aristocratic class system.  He just wanted to be relevant and have a say in his local politics at all cost.  In the place of religion; he used amala.

He backed up – mafia-like – his method by unleashing unbridled and gratuitous mayhem on his locale.  God only knows how many people his thugs killed and maimed.  How many children were made orphans.  He used his “army” to defeat even NAFDAC in Ibadan.  He provided the muscle for those trading in contaminated sea food.  His thinking or worry didn’t extend to the poor souls who will be damaged by buying and eating such products.  His natural worry was the regular commission being paid him by the traders.

Worryingly, in the few weeks since Adedibu’s demise, I have read and heard a lot of romanticised version of his life and work.  That is us Nigerians for you.  At least Abacha’s fellow evil Generals waited ten years before they attempted an ungainly revisionism.  Truth is there was absolutely nothing altruistic about Adedibu.   Perhaps when Chris Uba goes, he would also be eulogised for all his good work in Anambra.

Adedibu – except for a brief period at the very beginning of his political life – was always in the retrogressive camp.  After losing two low level elections in 1954 and 1956, Adedibu never left the art and science of election to the electorate.  He just never took that chance again.  That was a major part of his political philosophy.  He came, but he did not leave his environment better than he met it.  He left it disorganised, timid, fearful, and socially undeveloped.  That is the bitter truth.

Ibadan, curiously, has always being in the grip of one strongman or the other.  There was Chief Adegoke Adelabu, and Chief Busari Adelakun.  While Adelabu employed the power of (the English) language and bluster, Adelakun was famed for his use of “blue tooth” or “remote control.”  But Adedibu made all their exploits pale into insignificance.  Adedibu relied heavily on thuggery and violence.  Alao-Akala described him in death as “an uncommon specie.”  Yes he was that.  He was a grand ol’ geriatric delinquent.

Some say it is not our culture to speak ill of the dead.  I say if you don’t want people to speak ill of you when you die, don’t do ill to the people when you’re alive.  If you don’t want your memory to rubbished and besmirched after death, then live right and do right. Often times, rejoicing or pouring invectives on the dead is the only recourse a long suffering and oppressed people have against their oppressors.  Ask Abacha.  And let that be a lesson to all the bad big-men that currently litter our nation space.

It was reported that 100 of Adedibu’s boys caught with tons of marijuana and some weapons were arrested just before his death.  Because the Chief was laid out sick at the time, he was unable to organise a storming and sacking expedition of the Police Station to effect their release as he had done a few times in the past.  Those boys are now facing prosecution by the State!  Even Gbolarumi, who was Alao-Akala’s deputy during the latter’s eleven month illegal interregnum as governor (Gbolarumi was actually Adedibu’s PA before that stint) was reported recently to have been arrested for threatening the life of a fellow PDP member. It would appear that Ibadan (and Oyo State) is now settling down and would hopefully sanitise.

Finally, I can’t help but wonder what demands Adedibu will make of whomever is in charge in Hades.  Anyway, I continue to wish him the kind of peace he bequeathed his environment.

demdem@hotmail.co.uk

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 23.07.2008 00:18

Olamide  Villager

# 2 Yes, Adedibu is gone but do not forget that the situation that produced Adedibu in Oyo state and other clones in other states are still there; hopelessness, visionless leadership (or dealership), grinding poverty, unemployment, under-employment, solid darkness, wanton display of ill-gotten wealth by politicians and public office holders, corruption at all levels and facet of public and private life, etc and that other 'Adedibus' will rise up out of the ashes (?) of the demise of Adedibu in Ibadan. You already touted Mr.Tokyo (aka Alhaji Adesola), a motor park tout, thug and ex-convict as a possible replacement. Others have mentioned Alhaji Arisekola Alao as another possible candidate for the vacant position of 'Garrison Commander' in Ibadan. The man understood the Nigerian mentality very well just like the Nigerian Pastors and profited from it. He knew that most aspiring politicians in Nigeria has no vision, no mission nor do they stand for anything and most importantly, they lack credibility with the masses. The best shortcut is to 'invest' in Adedibu's native cunning and crazy brand of grassroot mobilization to 'win' elections and then go and sit in the Senate chambers or the House of Repesentatives for 8 years only to calculate their allowances and collect money for 'constituency projects' that are never implemented I totally agree with you that Obama will not win the primaries of a councillorship election in Nigeria (Na grammar we go chop?). Who cares about being charismatic, having a vision and being able to articulate it? Who cares about being honest in Nigerian politics? Obama, with his vaunted intelligence, would have had to defer to the local 'godfather' in his ward to get him into the race and a 'Super Godfather' to ensure that he 'wins' or that other candidates 'step' down for him through concensus. That is Nigeria and that was how we found ourselves in this sorry state. Posted by Olamide| 23.07.2008 01:59

Dewdrops  Villager

# 3 =Robot;4295073939>...Read the full article. :razz: =Robot;4295073939>...Read the full article. Finally, I can’t help but wonder what demands Adedibu will make of whomever is in charge in Hades. Anyway, I continue to wish him the kind of peace he bequeathed his environment. Why wait till he gets to Hades?:rolleyes: Why did you not do something about him while he was alive? Now he is dead, everyone is making noise. Fear let una come out for night for Oyo state when im dey alive? All you guys could do was call upon your babalwos to snuff him out. Yet he lived till almost 100 years old! We don hear ooooooooooooooooooooooooh! Posted by Dewdrops| 23.07.2008 02:09

bobokite  Villager

# 4 For sure a new Adedibu will surely spring up in Ibadan. It’s just a matter of time and UMYA the Baba Stand-Still will anoint someone to be wrecking Havoc in Oyo like OBJ did. Posted by bobokite| 23.07.2008 04:48

terveratsar@yahoo.co.uk  JJC

# 5 Must you bring In Yar'Adua here? What are your facts to support this asserrtation that he like OBJ would want to create a monster to replace Adedibu in Oyo? What are his stakes? To suggest that man who did not try to influence who became the Senate President or House Speaker would desend so low to meddle into local politics in Ibadan is to say the least unreasonable. Posted by terveratsar@yahoo.co.uk| 23.07.2008 05:46

Olamide  Villager

# 6 =terveratsar@yahoo.co.uk;4295074042>Must you bring In Yar'Adua here? What are your facts to support this asserrtation that he like OBJ would want to create a monster to replace Adedibu in Oyo? What are his stakes? To suggest that man who did not try to influence who became the Senate President or House Speaker would desend so low to meddle into local politics in Ibadan is to say the least unreasonable. It is not about if an wether UMYA would like to create another monster to replace the late 'lamented' Adedibu in Oyo politics but wether UMYA has the balls to stop another monster to emerge. Rule of law is very good but should not be used as an excuse to allow the excesses that characterised the OBJ era by self-annointed godfathers and 'Super godfathers'. Posted by Olamide| 23.07.2008 09:21

tanibaba  Villager

# 7 I find solace in the fact that those who criticise Adedibu know next to nothing about politics, getting votes, democracy and all that in relation to Nigeria and most other places in the world. They are quick to call the man names out of ignorance. The truth is that Adedibu and his likes will always have a role to play. Firstly because they are Nigerians like you and me and so are entitled to participate in governance. Secondly, democracy is about voters and these are grassroots politicians who add value to the lives of people at the grassroots on a daily basis. They are different from those who will visit from Abuja or london, promise one or two things and disappear. In our social structure, gaps were created and thank God for people like him, the commoner had someone to run to. Even in the best of systems in the world, the likes of Adedibu can be found either as a godfather or vote canvassers; the difference being only in sophistication and finesse. It is a reality that the world is not just a one-way road; politics is not for the chicken hearted and the good politicians know that everybody is important. It is therefore not surprising that Eruobodo (late Adelakun) was appointed a commissioner in the cabinet of late Bola Ige under the watchful eyes of late Chief Awolowo. The elites just have to think a little bit more to be able to understand some of these simple matters; but do we what to think? It is easier to simply engage our mouths. Can it be rightly said that Adedibu single handedly remove Ladoja from office? Could it be that some other forces merely recruited Adedibu? And when all of these were happening what safeguards did we have in the constitution and the courts to protect the weak in this everyday battle of survival of the fittest. Let us begin to think To Chief Adedibu, may your soul rest in peace. taslim Posted by tanibaba| 23.07.2008 11:37

Ibadan  JJC

# 8 Tanibaba, From your response you seem to glorify Adedibu for helping and surporting the poor and the needy- yes fine. What you dont seem to realise is that if the likes of Adedibu were not in existence to produce illegal governors, and election in Oyo state was based on merit, there will be no reason for Adedibu to provide for anyone as the democatically elected governors will be able to cater for the needs of the people that elected them.Also, remember, there was a motive behind Adedibu's good gesture, which was using those he clothed, fed and housed for his political thuggery and machinery to distrupt the peace enjoyed by the people of ibadan(Oyo state) Posted by Ibadan| 24.07.2008 07:17

tanibaba  Villager

# 9 =Ibadan;4295074576>Tanibaba, From your response you seem to glorify Adedibu for helping and surporting the poor and the needy- yes fine. What you dont seem to realise is that if the likes of Adedibu were not in existence to produce illegal governors, and election in Oyo state was based on merit, there will be no reason for Adedibu to provide for anyone as the democatically elected governors will be able to cater for the needs of the people that elected them.Also, remember, there was a motive behind Adedibu's good gesture, which was using those he clothed, fed and housed for his political thuggery and machinery to distrupt the peace enjoyed by the people of ibadan(Oyo state) Ibadan, your response further supports my view that most of the talk about Adedibu in the media (especially negative ones) are not informed, baseless and cannot stand any test of reason. Firstly, how many illegal governors did Adedibu produce? Who is that governor and for how long did he rule? Ibadan has always been a melting point of sorts even before the birth of Nigeria. Before "operation wetie" there were several wars fought by Ibadan which leads one to believe that it is and will continue to be a melting point. Secondly since the creation of Oyo state how many real indigenes of Ibadan have been governors? In what ways have they contributed to the development of Ibadan? What role have the elites played in the development of Ibadan or was it Adedibu that was in charge of development plans in Ibadan? In the last dispensation, who do you consider as the legal governor that should have emerged in Ibadan. Since after the UPN rule of Ibadan in 1979-1983 which other governor has improved the lot of Ibadan? If there is any was the person from the Adedibu camp? Was late Bola Ige from the camp of Adedibu. Please let us think for once in our lifetime by refusing to join the bandwagon. That is why our parents spent so much to educate us. Are you aware that Adedibu lost election in Oyo state as a candidate and not as godfather? Why do you think that people like him are relevant in politics and governance.? Do they have their catchment areas and "super delegates". Did he participate in what was going on in government offices? If politicians agreed to give him money if he can help them win elections should we then turn round to blame him. And if he decided to fight a politician who reneged on their accord, should Adedibu be blamed? Someday when history is written by honest people, the phenomenom called Adedibu will be revealed as well as the leadership qualities in him as well as the strategies he adopted prosecuting the "dog-eat-dog" duel that politics has become in nigeria and some other places of the world including the United States of America. Finally how many illegal governors are in Nigeria and how many of them did Adedibu produce? taslim Posted by tanibaba| 24.07.2008 09:02