As the Chairman, Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Barr. Isaac Omodewu, takes his final journey back to his maker today, Southwest Bureau Chief BISI OLADELE traces the life and times of the late politician whose short time on the state political stage is memorable.
A Family, friends and political associates will gather in Otu, Itesiwaju Local Government of Oyo State today to bid the late Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu the final goodbye. Today’s final burial will close a chapter in Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC). He was the state chairman of the party until he passed away peacefully in New York, United States (US) on August 18.
Since gracing the political stage in the Fourth Republic, Omodewu remained a progressive till death since he joined the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1998, then the Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and finally the APC at its formation in 2014.
The son of a well-known late politician in Otu, his birth place, and Oyo State at large, the late Omodewu was a staunch follower of the late governor of the state Abiola Ajimobi, who died in 2020.
He was so close to Ajimobi as a supporter that he was penciled down as the deputy governorship candidate in 2011 before other political considerations took the slot to another bloc in the party to engender sense of belonging, cohesion and political balancing. It was no wonder Omodewu was a member of the state cabinet from the start to finish. He remained one of Ajimobi’s first 10 from 2011 to 2019.
He was commissioner in the ministries of local government and chieftaincy Matters as well as lands and housing. He remained one of Ajimobi’s kitchen cabinet members till the end.
Soft-spoken, unassuming and determined, the late Omodewu will be remembered for the innovation he brought to land administration as Commissioner for Lands and Housing in the state.
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He was a governorship aspirant in 2019. He dropped the ambition when he saw clearly that the party was not ready to zone the position to Oke-Ogun.
The late politician enrolled for Law at Lead City University, Ibadan while serving as commissioner. He completed the programme and was called to the Bar in 2023.
Following Ajimobi’s demise in 2020 which further polarized the party, Omodewu, through new alliances, emerged the state chairman in a tough political battle.
As APC state chairman, Omodewu fostered unity among blocs within the party. He was open to ideas, and embraced people holding opposing views. He promoted dialogue and cohesion.
As an astute politician, Omodewu measured his decisions and ensured that he got what he wanted without ruffling the establishment.
A thorough-bread Omoluwabi who was never intoxicated by political power, Ajiboye Omodewu was born on April 16, 1963, in Otu, Oyo State to the family of late Pa Emmanuel Oyetunji and Mrs Sarah Farike Omodewu. A man of humility and dedication, Ajiboye’s life was marked by excellence, public service, and leadership.
He started his education at Baptist Primary School, Otu and continued through Baptist Modern School and Community Grammar School in Otu. He attended Yaba College of Technology where he obtained National Diploma in Accounting. He followed it with a B.Sc. (Accounting) degree from the City University of New York. He later obtained Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Driven by his father’s common phrase “according to the law,” and Ajimobi’s emphasis on continuous learning, Ajiboye pursued a Law degree culminating in his call to the Bar last year. He was pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) at the time of his demise.
Before joining politics, Omodewu worked with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He was the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Abisco Tyre and Auto Inc., US.
Hon. Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu’s life was a testament to service, dedication, and leadership, leaving an enduring legacy in Oyo State and beyond. His memory will live on in the many lives he touched.
In a statement, Oyo APC described its late chairman as “a rare gem, peacemaker, committed, down-to-earth, and service-oriented leader.”
It added: “Omodewu rendered unquantifiable contributions to the growth and development of Oyo State as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, and later as Commissioner for Lands and Housing in the administration of late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
“As State Chairman of Oyo APC, he ensured true reconciliation and peace towards the stability of the progressive party in the State.
“Though his exit is extremely painful, we take solace in the fact that he left behind a united and peaceful APC family.”
Reflecting on his close relationship with Omodewu, the senator representing Oyo North covering the deceased’s town, Dr Fatai Buhari, described Omodewu as a special friend and colleague.
His words: “He was a special being to me because we did a lot of things together. During Ajimobi’s era, he handed over to me as the Commissioner for Local Government and Local Government Matters. It was that role that brought us very close as we were part of Ajimobi’s caucus.
“And in 2015 when I indicated my interest in contesting Oyo North senatorial seat, he was everywhere for me during the campaign. I remember one of my campaigns during which we stayed in his house along with Governor Ajimobi and Chief Akinade Fijabi with whom I shared room. I remember I didn’t sleep. I was praying. He also did not sleep. At a time, he was going round to see everything was okay. When he saw me, he said: ‘Go and sleep. You have already won.’ Then Chief Fijabi said: ’Please tell him, he didn’t allow me sleep.
“His role in my victory in the second and third elections can’t be quantified, particularly after he became the state chairman of the party ahead of the 2023 election. He delivered the three senatorial seats and nine House of Representatives seats.
We only pray God to forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest.”
