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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Natioanl Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has described the late Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, as somebody whose image towered far above Ibadan, which he reigned over and the entire Oyo State.
Ganduje stated this during a condolence visit to the Alarere residence of the late monarch, on Tuesday.
The former Kano State Governor said the late Oba Balogun was not only the father of Ibadan or Oyo State, but the father of Nigeria.
The APC National Chairman described the death of the late Olubadan as very sad and shocking. He, however, added as human beings, there was nothing anybody could do to halt the inevitability of death when it was the appointed time by the Almighty Allah.
“What we should do is to continue to pray for the repose of his gentle and peaceful soul,” he said.
Ganduje, who was bestowed with the honorary chieftaincy title of Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadan land alongside his wife, who became Yeye Aare Fiwajoye, recalled the colourful ceremony held in 2022, few months after Oba Balogun ascended the throne.
He also recalled the relationship between the late monarch and the former political leaders in the northern part of the country, especially in Kano and Kaduna States where both late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi and Alhaji Balarabe Musa held sway during the second republic, noting that it had established unbroken bond between Ibadan and Kano.
“Our late father made his marks on the sands of time. He left behind imperishable legacies as a bridge builder, peaceful and loving personality. His nationalistic outlook set him apart from his peers and we would continue to cherish our relationship,” the APC National Chairman added.
Responding on behalf of the family, the younger brother of the late monarch, Sen. Kola Balogun, praised Ganduje’s steadfastness, adding that his visit, less than a week after the sad incident, showed his loving relationship with late Oba Balogun .
“Until baba’s death, he was always proud of his relationship with Kano as he would always refer to himself as a Kano man. The enduring relationship the late Oba established with his late friends and leader, Rimi, Musa and Alhaji Aminu Kano got rekindled through the honorary titles of Aare and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadan land bestowed on both Your Excellency and wife in 2022.
“Your Excellency has demonstrated unalloyed loyalty to our late revered father and we can only assure you that this place remains your second home and Ibadan Palace remains your second palace after the palace of Emir of Kano. On behalf of the family, we say a big thank you for this visit with prayers for journey mercies as you return to base,” Sen. Balogun said.