Lamidi Adedibu

Controversial politician, and chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lamidi Adedibu, has died at last.

The late politician's last health related trip was to a lagos based hospital, where his stooge, Oyo state Governor, Adebayo Akala, spent N5million of tax payers money to pay for his godfather's medical bills.

Reports from Ibadan say the people of welcomed the development the way Nigeria erupted in jubilation when former dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha died in 1998. It is widely believed that Adedibu had been a cog in the wheel of development of the state.

He had been a subject of police investigations following strings of attacks on prominent figures in the state. Few days ago the police raide one of his plots of land close to his residence that harboured hoodlums, and political thugs allegedly loyal to Adedibu.Several of them were arrested.

Adedibu was also investigated by the police for his role in the hijacking of ballot boxes in the state.

Adedibu, the Ashipa of Ibadanland and the fourth in rank to the throne of Olubadan, would have celebrated his 81st birthday in October.

The octogenarian politician, who had been suffering from an illness related to diabetes in the last three months, died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, on Wednesday afternoon.

The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of UCH, Mr. Adeniyi Adenipekun, told journalists that the Ibadan high chief was rushed to the hospital from the Oyo State office of the Nigerian Immigration Service in Agodi, where he reportedly slumped while perfecting his papers for a foreign trip.

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He said, ”He was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital where we did everything possible to revive him. We invariably gave up on him when all efforts failed.

”We learnt they took him to a hospital in Lagos for a routine medical check up. I think they told him there to undergo further treatment abroad.”

When asked the nature of Adedibu‘s ailment, he said, “He was not our primary patient; so we don‘t have his medical records.

”His relations rejected any form of post-mortem; so his body is ready for collection whenever they are ready.”

At the hospital, our correspondent saw some notable politicians, top government officials, relations and personal aides of the late chief weeping openly.

It was learnt that Adedibu initially asked the chairmen of the Ibadan North and Ibadan South-West local governments, Messrs Demola Omotosho and Tajudeen Aleshinloye, to arrange his travelling documents at the immigration office.

Immigrations officers, according to sources, however, insisted that they could only attend to him in person.

Among the early callers at the hospital were the Deputy Governor of the State, Mr. Taofeek Arapaja, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao; Secretary to the State Government, Chief Olayiwola Olakojo; and Adedibu’s Personal Assistant, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi.

Others were the the Deputy Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor, Mr. Razaq Gbadegesin; the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Moruf Atilola; the Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Soji Adejumo; and Adedibu’s spokesman, Alhaji Yahaya Adetunji.

Arisekola and others were

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