Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Thursday assured residents of
the state that he will not impose anyone as his successor ahead of the
2015 general elections.
Ajimobi while speaking during the inauguration of Oyo State Market
Leaders Council in Ibadan, however, declared that his concern was to
have a successor who will build on the feats recorded by his
administration in he areas of peace, security, social and physical
infrastructure, trade and investment among others.
He noted that he does not pray for a puppet to succeed him, instead,
the governor prayed that his successor should be a person who
wholeheartedly desires all-round development of the state.
He then urged the people of the state not to belabour themselves
about the notion that he plans to impose anybody as his successor,
saying that it is almost impossible to totally ‘control’ a successor.
Ajimobi while speaking said, “This administration still has till May
2019. However, in politics, we have just about a year to go.
“This means that by this December, we will be in the thick of
politics and would have begun campaigning for votes for my successor.
Though some will say that my concern when I begin canvassing for votes
for a successor is that I want to impose someone who will be my puppet
upon the people. But the truth is whether you impose or not, that
person, may after a while, no more do one’s bidding.
“What I am concerned about is having a successor who will do well for
the state. Even a child, at some point, may not always take heed to his
or her parents. Moreover, when the child gets married, he or she may
begin to take heed to only the stance of his or her hubby.
“We have done well and should pray that whoever emerges next governor
will continue to promote trade and investment, peace and security,
social and physical infrastructure. What the people of Oyo state should
pray for is that the next governor should be someone who will be
committed to doing well for the state. The person may decide not to do
exactly things our own way and do it as dictated by his own closest
people. So, our prayer should be that whoever emerges should mean well
for the people.”