2023: 3 Politicians who have quietly left the stage in Ogbomoso

Every profession has a retirement age, but there are a few exceptions and one of the them is surely politics not only in Nigeria or Africa but all over the globe.

There is a reason for having retirement age in every profession because after a certain age ones efficiency is considered to reduce and it is time for him or her to retire from work and enjoy the remaining life in peace.

But when it comes to the rule makers, no retirement age seems to apply. However, as events unfolds and the dynamics of life setting in politicians can go into retirement anytime, ceremoniously or unceremoniously.

Below are three political gladiators in Ogbomoso Zone who are active as at 2019 general elections but little or no record of them is popping up as we are less than 40 days to the general elections.

(1) Hon Remi Odetomi

First on the list is Honourable Oluremi Odetomi, a former Chairman in Ogbomoso South Local Government and Former Commissioner For Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Oyo State.

Odetomi was the deputy governorship candidate to Late Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi in the 2007 election on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP).

Mrs. Olayemi Odetomi, who was the wife of the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters during the late governor Abiola Ajimobi’s tenure, was murdered by gunmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital in June 2021.

Since then Hon Odetomi seems to have take a break in active politics as some people said his late wife is one of his major backups.

He was the candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC for Ogbomoso South/North and Oriire Federal Constituency at the 2019 general elections.

(2) Chief Akin Oke

Here is an octogenarian who obtained direct tutelage and mentoring from Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the heydays of Action Group, AG and Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN.

Chief Oke assumed office as the Oyo state Chairman of the defunct Action Congress (ACN)of Nigeria on October 17, 2010 and he left in 2022 as the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after about eleven years.

Baba Oke has famously called was a political gladiator due to his experience and position held as the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Oyo State Chapter. However, he wax little or no political authority at home in Ogbomoso and since he left office little can be heard of Baba Oke who seems to have call it a day in politics.

During the last APC Congress imbroglio in Oyo state, Baba Oke said, “In all honesty, my main goal is to enjoy my private life after serving the Progressive family for more than six decades and this implies that I am not going to remain in the saddle as the party chairman beyond this moment for any reason.

(3) Alhaji Amuda Bababtunde

A loyalist of Late Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala. He was the candidate of the African Democratic Party, ADP for Ogbomoso South State Constituency in 2019 where he lost to the incumbent Majority Leader of the House, Hon Sanjo Adedoyin of the People’s Democratic Party.

Honourable Amuda was a former Secretary, Ogbomoso South Local Government. Since the death of Alao Akala, Oyato’s political camp in Ogbomoso South seems to be divided and Hon Amuda who age is no more on his side has also kept a low profile.

Senior politicians have a wealth of knowledge and experience, which is essential for the role but in order to ensure that one does not remain in seat of power indefinitely, young people should be voted into key positions in political arena, thus contribution of fresh ideas and new perspective, it is essential that politicians also retire at a predetermined age.

Femi Ajiboye Writes from Ogbomoso