‘I Stopped Taking Soft Drinks 41 Years Ago‘

By Yemisi Aofolaju and Bayo Alade

AdedibuALHAJI Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu clearly qualifies to be described as a living legend of a sort. Unfortunately, he is a man many love to hate. He has on several occasions acknowledged being a thug – if it would please his critics to address him so. Ibadan once had an Olubadan who was an epitome of accomplishments – an educationist, teacher and clergyman. That was Oba Akinyele. This time, the city may yet see one who has been a politician all his life. Chief Lamidi Adedibu is just steps away from the throne, having been recently elevated in the chieftaincy hierachy of his people. Has it ever crossed his mind that at 80 he might still become an Olubadan one day? “I’m praying to God, I want to be,” was his philosophical reply. If he does, would he still continue to accommodate the hordes of hangers-on and well-wishers that daily throng his house? “It will only give me more time for them. I will always devote time to the people,” he said.

Though Adedibu accepts the tag of a thug, he has a reason for that acceptance and it stems from his loyalty to leaders of the Action Group, especially Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“When they referred to me as a thug, it was because I committed myself to Awolowo. When we started politics, our opponents used to shout Ole! Ole! (thief) at our leaders. We couldn’t have folded our arms and watch them shouting at them (our leaders).” When the new Olubadan ascended the throne, he had some brushes with the old politicians, and the bone of contention then was politics, a terrain Adedibu had traversed for over half a decade. As a high chief of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odugade felt that Adedibu should not play politics since he is also a kingmaker. Adedibu only had this to say on the issue: “The Kabiyesi is a man who cannot hide his feelings on issues. He will always stand for the truth. “He is my father. I am his loyal subject, member of his cabinet and one of his kingmakers. I am bound to be loyal to him.”

His favourite food? You know that, of course; it is amala and gbegiri (local Yoruba food and soup). Unlike some octogenarians, Adedibu still eats three square meals per day, but he does not take sugar or honey. He doesn’t even use them for tea. According to him, the last time he took any brand of soft drinks was 41 years ago. Neither does he take wine; not even fruit juice. He only takes water. These days, Adedibu engages in philanthropy and building of mosques, in and outside Ibadan. What’s he doing this for? “Well, God owns the money and when we spend it for Him, he is happy, because that is a directive from him,” he quipped. For Alhaji Adedibu, there is never a dull moment any day. He reads newspapers and attends to people and their individual needs. He doesn’t listen to radio or watch television. “I live with the people. You can see people with me.

That (being around his people) is my happiest time. We pray together, we eat together.
At past nine in the evening of any day, they all leave for their various homes, and the next morning, they are back.” he said of the hordes of people who come to his house everyday. What does he think of his political godson, Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala’s performance so far? “He’s performing wonderfully. He’s performing better than expected. He’s honest and he cares for the people of Oyo State. “They have seen the fact that this man is the best governor we have ever had in Oyo State. “He doesn’t want to know which party you belong to; he’s taking care of everybody in every way. He doesn’t say because you belong to this political party you cannot have something. He gives to everybody who is a citizen of Oyo State.

Last year, Baba, as he’s fondly called, clocked 80 years. But due to the pending case at the tribunal, he refused to celebrate it but now the coast is clear. “I said I would celebrate after the ruling and I’m arranging that now,” he said. Whatever the time, hat is sure is whenever Adedibu celebrates, the whole city of Ibadan rocks.