Like an eclipse, swiftly, the years passed. And it’s striking to know that it’s exactly 10 years that we lost a political juggernaut in the person of Chief Adebayo Adefarati, former governor of Ondo State. Baba Adefarati, as I knew and addressed him, even before his ascendance to governorship of Ondo State, was appointed twice as a commissioner under the late Yoruba and Afenifere leader, Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin.
He was the state Commissioner for Works and that of Ministry of Transport between 1979 and 1983. Baba was also a prominent member of the then dreaded NADECO that fought against the military during the slippery General Sani Abacha days.
He reigned as a governor between 1999 and 2003 and lost his re-election bid, majorly due to separation from many of his associates and lieutenants which gave Dr. Olusegun Agagu leeway to defeat him when he ran for re-election in 2003.
In 2007, Adefarati was the presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He died at 76 after a brief illness few weeks before the election. Adefarati, a progressive politician of the old order, lived a simple lifestyle and cannot be accused of using his office to acquire wealth for himself. I have, up to now, my strong doubt, as to whether or not he used the seat of power to amass wealth for himself as such possibility has pointedly was cleared when I became the Head of Chambers of the law firm of Tunji Abayomi & Co., Abuja in 2003. Dr. Abayomi, the Founder and Principal Partner of the firm, was Baba Adefarati’s lawyer.
Three months into his exit as governor, the law firm was briefed on the need to ensure the payment of Adefarati’s severance entitlements. Pursuant to the brief, I visited Baba at his home town, Akungba and I became a front row witness of Baba’s spartan lifestyle, travails and philosophies of life.
During one of our discussions, in his house, he narrated his ordeal with his then successor – Agagu, particularly on the fact that his successor has refused to pay his severance entitlements and that he is left broke.
He urged that the law firm expedite action to get this money paid. I can remember vividly his word: “Kayode, as you can see now, I have no drink to offer you as my visitor in this house, because there is no money to buy.”
I was shocked to my bones and couldn’t believe my ears. Again, I had my first practical experience of political repression, when after few weeks of taking up the case as the head of chambers, my boss’ Abuja chambers, a rented office apartment located inside the Owena House owned by Ondo State Government was burgled, all the books and furniture inside thrown out, and we were forcefully evicted from the building by the then new government of Ondo State for no just cause than the fact that Abayomi belonged to Adefarati’s old order. I was however surprised, when the same Agagu-led state government rolled out drums to celebrate the life and death of Adefarati at the announcement of Baba’s demise.
The governor allegedly spent over N150 million on Baba’s burial, and invited one of Baba’s wives to his office despite his outright neglect when he was alive. Thorough study has revealed that political repression although takes various forms, it however points toward an end. It is the systematic hostility or ill treatment of an individual or group within a society for political reasons, particularly for the purpose of restricting or preventing their ability to take part in the political life of a society, thereby reducing their standing among their fellow citizens. Adefarati, as history points to, did his best for Ondo State as he did for Nigeria. Whether he was done a commensurate honour after exit or not is a debate that will last the length of time.
However, as we celebrate Baba, it is only proper that we learn from the significances of his successful life and glorious exit. It is imperative that freedom from disturbance; and tranquillity reign in the conduct of the affairs of men.
Peace must be made a pivot in our art of politicking if we must genuinely celebrate and honour departed leaders, as this was the hub of the late governor’s philosophy of life. Political repression must cease to be part and parcel of governance.
It was cheering that the immediate past administration in Ondo State, against all odds, gave the new administration of Governor Aderedolu ultimate cooperation, in a committed, seamless and historical transition procedures that made the inaugural ceremony of the incumbent one of the best in recent time.
This was exemplar, and it’s hoped that this will be nurtured as a tradition. What is good for the goose, the wise say, is also good for the gander. In governance, and in accordance with the dictates of their oath of office is to do right to all manner of people, irrespective of their political lineage of inclinations.
As it is certain that he who is incumbent today, one day, would become a former someday. Peace, one palpable beauty for which Ondo State is reputed, is debatably a legacy seeded by Adefarati. It has since endured through the years to this time of Akeredolu.
While we extol the great feats and ideals of this giant son of Ondo State, we indulge in the hope that under Governor Akeredolu, Baba’s legacy of peace and tolerance will not only be preserved but also be taken for granted. That, for me, is the minimum we must do to immortalise Adefarati.
•Dr. Ajulo is a lawyer and Executive Director, Egalitarian Mission for Africa.
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