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| The Apesin-Ola of Erin Osun, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun & the Aare Akayejo of Erin Osun, Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke Serubawon |
Eminent Iwo Osun State (South West Nigeria)born Politician
and elder statesman, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun has
reacted to the sudden death of his bosom friend of many years, Senator
Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke aka Serubawon
which sad event took place in the early hours of Sunday, April, 23rd at Biket
Hopital, Ede.
and elder statesman, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun has
reacted to the sudden death of his bosom friend of many years, Senator
Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke aka Serubawon
which sad event took place in the early hours of Sunday, April, 23rd at Biket
Hopital, Ede.
Speaking
exclusively to Asabeafrika yesterday from his Iwo country home, Chief Ogundokun a former National
Secretary of the defunct NPN party
under President Shehu Shagari and publisher of Conscience International Magazine
described the sudden death of Senator Adeleke
aka “De Gov” as a big human loss to Osun State, Nigeria and particularly Ede and Iwo towns.
exclusively to Asabeafrika yesterday from his Iwo country home, Chief Ogundokun a former National
Secretary of the defunct NPN party
under President Shehu Shagari and publisher of Conscience International Magazine
described the sudden death of Senator Adeleke
aka “De Gov” as a big human loss to Osun State, Nigeria and particularly Ede and Iwo towns.
Ogundokun who is the Otun Balogun Musulumi of Iwo Kingdom and Apesin Ola of Erin-Osun land
traced his relationship with Senator
Isiaka Adeleke to several years back when his bosom friend, Chief SOB Babalola brought him to Iwo for political endorsement and
support. Ogundokun noted with passion,
that he singularly made efforts to ensure that Adeleke who was in the opposition SDP (Ogundokun was under late
Chief Kusamotu’s NRC) got massive support in Iwo which later culminated in his winning and becoming the first
civilian governor of Osun State.
traced his relationship with Senator
Isiaka Adeleke to several years back when his bosom friend, Chief SOB Babalola brought him to Iwo for political endorsement and
support. Ogundokun noted with passion,
that he singularly made efforts to ensure that Adeleke who was in the opposition SDP (Ogundokun was under late
Chief Kusamotu’s NRC) got massive support in Iwo which later culminated in his winning and becoming the first
civilian governor of Osun State.
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| The Balogun Musulumi of Iwo land, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun |
Frowning at
the public held perception that Adeleke
was poisoned during a wedding outing in Iwo
town on Saturday, April 22 which led to his death early Sunday morning, Ogundokun, a veteran Iwo indigene quickly knocked down the
impression “Iwo cannot be held
responsible for Serubawon’s death because we are brothers. Both Iwo and Ede are
brotherly towns. Iwo is the biggest and most loyal supporter of Ede. We have
always supported Ede in their political decisions for a long time and I think
it is the most absurd joke of the century to say, he was poisoned in Iwo. I was
not at the event but the person he came to celebrate with in Iwo is his protégé
and he was not the only guest at the event”
the public held perception that Adeleke
was poisoned during a wedding outing in Iwo
town on Saturday, April 22 which led to his death early Sunday morning, Ogundokun, a veteran Iwo indigene quickly knocked down the
impression “Iwo cannot be held
responsible for Serubawon’s death because we are brothers. Both Iwo and Ede are
brotherly towns. Iwo is the biggest and most loyal supporter of Ede. We have
always supported Ede in their political decisions for a long time and I think
it is the most absurd joke of the century to say, he was poisoned in Iwo. I was
not at the event but the person he came to celebrate with in Iwo is his protégé
and he was not the only guest at the event”
How I met Serubawon…
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| Chief Ogundokun, a female guest & Serubawon |
Chief Ogundokun narrated how providence brought him
and the late Senator together in 1992 “It
was my friend, Chief SOB Babalola who is equally an indigene of Ede that
introduced him to me. He was SOB Babalola’s protégé and Babalola wanted me to
help him. You know Ede is a very peaceful town, and Iwo is like the nerve
center because Iwo is the Senatorial Headquarter of the 10 LGAs in the zone and
we are the biggest in terms of population. Of course, I have been taking
decision here (Iwo) in the last 50 years. So, we see Ede as our brother. That
is why you always hear in the Yoruba maxim that ‘Oye to kan ara Iwo, on bo wa
kan ara ede’ (A title that is given to an Iwo indigene could still be given
to an Ede indigene) and that
was how I helped him and he became the first civilian Governor of Osun State
and to the glory of God he performed well”.
and the late Senator together in 1992 “It
was my friend, Chief SOB Babalola who is equally an indigene of Ede that
introduced him to me. He was SOB Babalola’s protégé and Babalola wanted me to
help him. You know Ede is a very peaceful town, and Iwo is like the nerve
center because Iwo is the Senatorial Headquarter of the 10 LGAs in the zone and
we are the biggest in terms of population. Of course, I have been taking
decision here (Iwo) in the last 50 years. So, we see Ede as our brother. That
is why you always hear in the Yoruba maxim that ‘Oye to kan ara Iwo, on bo wa
kan ara ede’ (A title that is given to an Iwo indigene could still be given
to an Ede indigene) and that
was how I helped him and he became the first civilian Governor of Osun State
and to the glory of God he performed well”.
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| Chief Abiola Ogundokun & Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke Serubawon |
“In 2007, I equally played a role in
him becoming a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when I physically
went to the Government House and practically took the senatorial slot from Senator
Akinlabi and gave to Adeleke. I did it right in the government’s house, Oshogbo
and Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola even thanked me for it. So, he has always been
a part of me and for him to just pass away just like that, I feel very, very
sad”
him becoming a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when I physically
went to the Government House and practically took the senatorial slot from Senator
Akinlabi and gave to Adeleke. I did it right in the government’s house, Oshogbo
and Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola even thanked me for it. So, he has always been
a part of me and for him to just pass away just like that, I feel very, very
sad”
Why I didn’t support Serubawon’s 2nd
Coming..
Coming..
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| Late Serubawon Isiaka Adeleke |
Four weeks
ago, Chief Ogundokun was said to have
granted a television interview in Osun
State where he kicked against Serubawon’s ambition to contest again as a
governor. The elder statesman confirmed it to Asabeafrika “Yes, I actually granted the interview and
my point is clear, I said he has done well as a Governor and as a three term
senator, what is he going to look for again in the government house? I felt he
was better as an elder statesman and that was my honest opinion about his
ambition to rule again. Because he is a very, very gifted politician and he will
do well in giving direction to the state as a statesman rather than going there
to start all over again. I saw no need for him going back again and that was my
honest belief. Even at that, he was still free to test his popularity and win”
ago, Chief Ogundokun was said to have
granted a television interview in Osun
State where he kicked against Serubawon’s ambition to contest again as a
governor. The elder statesman confirmed it to Asabeafrika “Yes, I actually granted the interview and
my point is clear, I said he has done well as a Governor and as a three term
senator, what is he going to look for again in the government house? I felt he
was better as an elder statesman and that was my honest opinion about his
ambition to rule again. Because he is a very, very gifted politician and he will
do well in giving direction to the state as a statesman rather than going there
to start all over again. I saw no need for him going back again and that was my
honest belief. Even at that, he was still free to test his popularity and win”
Iwo didn’t kill Adeleke
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| The High Chief Abiola Ogundokun speaks with the GDA |
On the
infamous impression that the late Osun
gubernatorial candidate died as a result of a piece of meat he ate during his
last outing at Iwo during a wedding
ceremony, Ogundokun kicked against
such a thought. “That is a sad opinion
because people know us to be hospitable
and tolerant” Ogundokun noted.
infamous impression that the late Osun
gubernatorial candidate died as a result of a piece of meat he ate during his
last outing at Iwo during a wedding
ceremony, Ogundokun kicked against
such a thought. “That is a sad opinion
because people know us to be hospitable
and tolerant” Ogundokun noted.
The former
Tactical Chairman of the PDP Electoral Committee in Osun State under Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s regime continued “I think we will need a post mortem
to ascertain the cause of his death. The doctor who took care of him must be
able to give an accurate report on what illness he was treated for. The Doctor
must have record of the illness he suffered from and with that, we can all get
civilized about what caused his death”.
Tactical Chairman of the PDP Electoral Committee in Osun State under Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s regime continued “I think we will need a post mortem
to ascertain the cause of his death. The doctor who took care of him must be
able to give an accurate report on what illness he was treated for. The Doctor
must have record of the illness he suffered from and with that, we can all get
civilized about what caused his death”.
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| The Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke with late Ooni of Ife HRM, Oba (Dr.) Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II |
Ogundokun getting very uneasy with the allegation of poison
went ahead to lay curses on any one that could be responsible for such a
sinister motive “Gbenga, I am not saying
politics is not dirty. Yes, if by chance, somebody is responsible for his
death, God will destroy that person. It will be unkind, ungodly, it is mad for
anybody to wish Serubawon dead. If there is anyone like that, God will destroy
that person both in living and in death. Because, if you are talking about each
Local Governments in Osun State, if you are to count each Local Government
Areas in this state or under the Osun
West Senatorial zone, Adeleke is one among equal. He is a rare breed and I can
tell you right away that we have lost somebody who is very, very important to
our area and especially to Iwo. If anybody has hand in his death, God will take
care of that person quickly. I wish Adeleke a peaceful rest”
went ahead to lay curses on any one that could be responsible for such a
sinister motive “Gbenga, I am not saying
politics is not dirty. Yes, if by chance, somebody is responsible for his
death, God will destroy that person. It will be unkind, ungodly, it is mad for
anybody to wish Serubawon dead. If there is anyone like that, God will destroy
that person both in living and in death. Because, if you are talking about each
Local Governments in Osun State, if you are to count each Local Government
Areas in this state or under the Osun
West Senatorial zone, Adeleke is one among equal. He is a rare breed and I can
tell you right away that we have lost somebody who is very, very important to
our area and especially to Iwo. If anybody has hand in his death, God will take
care of that person quickly. I wish Adeleke a peaceful rest”
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| The Friendship of Ogundokun and Adeleke was great |
On the beating of Honorable Idiat
Babalola by Ede Youths
Babalola by Ede Youths
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| Late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke (Serubawon) and Aare Akayejo of Erin-Osun land |
On the
Monday April 24th beating of one of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s aides,
Honorable Idiat Babalola by irate Ede
youths protesting the death of their benefactor Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Chief
Abiola Ogundokun thanked Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun
for rescuing Honorable Idiat from being lynched by the youths. The angry youths
alleged that their benefactor who is presently contesting for Governorship of
the state in 2018 was poisoned by the powers that be in Osun State in order to pave way for their own candidate come 2018. Ogundokun has this to say “I will only say the youths didn’t know the
history of the man Adeleke. Idiat is from Ede, her dad is my very good friend,
Chief SOB Babalola who brought Isiaka Adeleke to me in 1992. So, Isiaka Adeleke’s
political god father is Chief SOB Babalola. So, why do you want to kill his
daughter? That was a wrong behavior. SOB Babalola gave Isiaka Adeleke his first
break in politics and if Governor Aregbesola now decides to appoint his
daughter as a commissioner, does that translate to being an enemy?”
Monday April 24th beating of one of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s aides,
Honorable Idiat Babalola by irate Ede
youths protesting the death of their benefactor Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Chief
Abiola Ogundokun thanked Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun
for rescuing Honorable Idiat from being lynched by the youths. The angry youths
alleged that their benefactor who is presently contesting for Governorship of
the state in 2018 was poisoned by the powers that be in Osun State in order to pave way for their own candidate come 2018. Ogundokun has this to say “I will only say the youths didn’t know the
history of the man Adeleke. Idiat is from Ede, her dad is my very good friend,
Chief SOB Babalola who brought Isiaka Adeleke to me in 1992. So, Isiaka Adeleke’s
political god father is Chief SOB Babalola. So, why do you want to kill his
daughter? That was a wrong behavior. SOB Babalola gave Isiaka Adeleke his first
break in politics and if Governor Aregbesola now decides to appoint his
daughter as a commissioner, does that translate to being an enemy?”
Aregbe is not a bad man—Ogundokun
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| Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State |
So, what is Chief Ogundokun’s perception about
Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the sudden death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke who
appears to be the most popular candidate in the incoming election? “Aregbesola respects elders and he knows
what it means to be humble”. Ogundokun
started. He cleared his throat and continued “I don’t
think he has any intention to succeed himself. Since I have grown to know this
state, I have never seen any governor who has worked the way Governor
Aregbesola worked. I give kudos to him for the great transformation he brought
to Osun State, he is brilliant, innovative, humble and a lover of development.
What will he gain in taking another man’s life? Nothing. Like I said, he is
almost done and let me tell you, Osun State is not like any other state, Here,
we don’t do deal with faces, we are independent minded and once you have the credentials to rule, we vote for you”.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the sudden death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke who
appears to be the most popular candidate in the incoming election? “Aregbesola respects elders and he knows
what it means to be humble”. Ogundokun
started. He cleared his throat and continued “I don’t
think he has any intention to succeed himself. Since I have grown to know this
state, I have never seen any governor who has worked the way Governor
Aregbesola worked. I give kudos to him for the great transformation he brought
to Osun State, he is brilliant, innovative, humble and a lover of development.
What will he gain in taking another man’s life? Nothing. Like I said, he is
almost done and let me tell you, Osun State is not like any other state, Here,
we don’t do deal with faces, we are independent minded and once you have the credentials to rule, we vote for you”.
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| Chief Abiola Ogundokun with former Oyo SSG, Chief Olakojo |
“Last year when I built a brand new
secretariat for Iwo Local Government, I invited the governor to come and launch
it. His schedule was very tight, I knew he couldn’t make it. But I put a call
to him and I threatened him that ‘if you are not coming, then, let’s forget it’
and to my great surprise, he came and launched the project. He came with aides,
beating a terrible traffic on the road and damning all consequences to honor me
here in Iwo. With such a gesture, what opinion do you think I have of
Aregbesola? In fact, what he said about me that day alone was enough. In my 50
years of doing politics, I think I felt very fulfilled that day. So, I respect
his passion for development. My take on the issue of allegation or no
allegation is simple, let the doctors conduct a post-mortem on Senator Adeleke
and let the world have the result of the ailment that led to his death”
secretariat for Iwo Local Government, I invited the governor to come and launch
it. His schedule was very tight, I knew he couldn’t make it. But I put a call
to him and I threatened him that ‘if you are not coming, then, let’s forget it’
and to my great surprise, he came and launched the project. He came with aides,
beating a terrible traffic on the road and damning all consequences to honor me
here in Iwo. With such a gesture, what opinion do you think I have of
Aregbesola? In fact, what he said about me that day alone was enough. In my 50
years of doing politics, I think I felt very fulfilled that day. So, I respect
his passion for development. My take on the issue of allegation or no
allegation is simple, let the doctors conduct a post-mortem on Senator Adeleke
and let the world have the result of the ailment that led to his death”
Ogundokun & Serubawon in History
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| Iwo & Ede |
Sometimes in
the early part of year 2006, the 80 years old Chief Abiola Ogundokun
and the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke
were both crowned at a Erin-Osun, a
popular town in between Oyo and Osun State. On that day, and at that
auspicious event, which was well attended by several traditional rulers from the South Western part of Nigeria
including the late Ooni Okunade Sijuade
Olubuse II, the then serving Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola joined both Chief Ogundokun and Senator
Isiaka Adeleke as they were both crowned as Apesin-Ola and Aare Akayejo
of Erin Osun land by the Elerin of
Erin Osun, His Royal Majesty Oba Yusuf Omoloye
(Oyagbodun II) who was celebrating his 30th anniversary on the
throne.
the early part of year 2006, the 80 years old Chief Abiola Ogundokun
and the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke
were both crowned at a Erin-Osun, a
popular town in between Oyo and Osun State. On that day, and at that
auspicious event, which was well attended by several traditional rulers from the South Western part of Nigeria
including the late Ooni Okunade Sijuade
Olubuse II, the then serving Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola joined both Chief Ogundokun and Senator
Isiaka Adeleke as they were both crowned as Apesin-Ola and Aare Akayejo
of Erin Osun land by the Elerin of
Erin Osun, His Royal Majesty Oba Yusuf Omoloye
(Oyagbodun II) who was celebrating his 30th anniversary on the
throne.
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| The Elerin of Erin Osun with late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II |
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| Late Serubawon & Oyinlola in a tete-a-tete |
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| Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke & ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola |
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| The Banner of the Event |
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| Chief Ogundokun and late Senator Isiaka Adeleke welcomes Governor Oyinlola to the ceremony |
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| High Chief Abiola Ogundokun surrounded by Erin Oshun women |
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| The Oloogi came for Serubawon & Ogundokun’s coronation |
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| The Oluwo Oke followed Chief Ogundokun to Erin Osun |
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| The Alaho came all the way from Kwara |
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| The Afaaji was never missing |
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| The Akirun of Oshun was equally there |
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| The Orangun’s Car |
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| The Orangun’s Car |
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| The Ooni of Ife’s Car |
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| One of Senator Isiaka Adeleke’s escort car damaged by one of his drivers after the event |
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| The Apesin-Ola & Aare Akayejo with junior chiefs |
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| The Apesin-Ola & The Aare Akayejo endorses another Chief in a lower cadre |
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| High Chief Abiola Ogundokun….Apesin-Ola of Erin-Osun land |
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| Chief Ogundokun & a Friend |
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| The Apesin-Ola shows his friend, Akayejo some new paths to Politics |
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| High Chief Abiola Ogundokun….The Apesin-Ola of Erin Osun Land |
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| Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke…The Akeyejo of Erin Oshun Land |
Other eminent politicians like then Oyo SSG, Chief Olakojo, Senator Iyiola
Omisore, Chief Gani Adams, General
Raji Alagbe Rasaki, Honorable Kayode
Samuel (Then Ogun State Commissioner
for Strategy) and many important guests graced the 2016 event. It was Chief Abiola Ogundokun and Senator Isiaka Adeleke who arrived the
venue in same car and same attire. However, today, death has done the two bosom
friends apart.
Omisore, Chief Gani Adams, General
Raji Alagbe Rasaki, Honorable Kayode
Samuel (Then Ogun State Commissioner
for Strategy) and many important guests graced the 2016 event. It was Chief Abiola Ogundokun and Senator Isiaka Adeleke who arrived the
venue in same car and same attire. However, today, death has done the two bosom
friends apart.
