A former Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Mbu J. Mbu, has described the death of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi as one of the biggest shocks he has received in his life.
Mbu, who was also a former Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, described the late former Oyo State governor as a simple governor who never allowed his personal life to interfere with his official functions.
He said he had a good working relationship with the late Ajimobi, adding: “He was a governor like no other that I knew. The late Governor Ajimobi was a very focused, intelligent and meticulous public servant who never allowed his personal life to interfere with his official functions.”
AIG Mbu, who the Oyo Commissioner of Police between 2012 and 2013, recalled: “He was devoid of megalomania and acrimony against political foes. He never fought the opposition but stoutly fought injustice and insecurity.
“Ajimobi was very simple. I recall the day he left the Agodi Government House and came to Ewerem, the Oyo State Police Command Headquarters, to meet with me.
“He addressed my officers, appreciated them and appreciated the massive rehabilitation works I was carrying out and our efforts to address crime in the state without disturbing him for funds immediately.
“He promised and really assisted by giving over 50 Hilux pickup vehicles and refurbished 16 APCs disabled for over 13 years. He did the total refurbishment of the CP residence and Command HQ, just as he saved Oyo State from infrastructural decay,” he said.
He added that the late Ajimobi was very warm, friendly and highly appreciative of genuine efforts to add value to the decency he was trying to create in Oyo State.
“The late governor opened up his heart to me on two vexatious issues that were troubling him in the state, apart from crime. One was about an ancient traditional stool that was being threatened in OYO.
“The other was about hoodlums who took laws into their hands, dared government and law enforcement agents. I told him to consider the issues settled. And when I did, I could see the the huge relief he exuded. This gave way for banks to re-open after a long closure.
“He never expected me to inherit his enemies and he never interfered with my work. He gave me all the support I needed to succeed as CP, Oyo State and commended my efforts in the state security council meetings, just as the Oyo State House of Assembly commended my efforts, even when I had been transferred to Rivers State,” he added.
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