How AJIMOBI’s Wife & Gov. MAKINDE Ended Rift

• The Inside Story

Truly, there are no permanent friends or foes in politics but permanent interest. And that could best describe the present closeness between Governor Seyi Makinde and the former First Lady of the state, Chief (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, the wife of late former Governor Abiola Abiola Ajimobi.

Nobody would have thought they would reconciled the way they did. This is judging form the fact that both don’t see eye to eye before now. In fact, Florence Ajimobi never hide her displeasure in Makinde’s attitude towards the late husband, especially the burial program. Which ordinarily was believed to have been spearheaded by the state government. But rather than involving in the burial, the government claimed it wasn’t carried along by the family. It was a serious accusation and counter accusation between Ajimobis and the government.

It would be recalled how Mrs Ajimobi confronted Makinde’s former deputy, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan shortly after her husband’s internment at their Oluyole residence, and how he was also denied entry into the 8-day fidau program.

She was said to have accused the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration of being insensitive to her late husband. She alleged that the administration had left the late former governor to his faith when he was battling with COVID-19 complications of which he later died of in year 2020.

All these coupled with threats by Governor Makinde to probe late Ajimobi’s government, as well as revocation of Agodi landed property on which Ajimobi built his retirement mansion were said to be part of many issue Mrs Ajimobi had against Makinde. That explains the animosity that existed between Makinde and Florence Ajimobi until the whole thing recently took a new dimension.

While many are still surprised at the latest development however, those who are in the know claimed the reconcilation moves has been on for sometime. An inside source revealed that Governor Makinde has been in touch with Mrs Ajimobi for a while, even long before the last general election.

This, some say, maybe the reason why Makinde appreciated Mrs Ajimobi and other APC members for their supports during a radio interview after the election. Though Florence later denied working for Makinde, saying that she took Makinde’s positive remarks on her as a compliment being a stakeholder in Oyo politics.

It would also be recalled that Makinde, shortly after his reelection victory, rename Tech-U after late Ajimobi. Though the governor’s handlers said he is only being apolitical.

Another strong indication that Mrs Ajimobi and Governor Makinde have reconciled and are now best of friends is the recent chieftaincy conferment in Orile-Igbon.

The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, at an event marking his 60th birthday, decorated Mrs Ajimobi as the Yeye Oba of Orile-Igbon. She was honored alongside Governor Makinde as Aare of Orile-Igbon and a close ally of the governor, Otunba Seye Famojuro as Balogun Bobajiroro of Orile-Igbon.

Some political watchers in the state strongly believe that Florence Ajimobi wouldn’t have accepted the honour if not for the fact that she is now in a good terms with the governor.

However, the latest development has not only met with mixed reactions within the political circle in the state but has also sparked up all kinds of ‘rumour’.

First was the insinuation that Makinde may have allotted some commissionership slots to Mrs Ajimobi. The claim has since been denied by the former first lady. There was also the claim in some quarters that Makinde has nominated Florence Ajimobi’s name for ministerial appointment at the federal level.

But now that Makinde and Mrs Ajimobi now enjoy a cordial relationship, the big question on the lips of many is, what happens to Makinde’s probe letter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against late Ajimobi’s government and the Agodi mansion?

– Dare Adeniran

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