The Political Rise of Arisekola Alao

Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao, though never identified openly with any political party, was an acknowledged power broker and kingmaker in Oyo State supporting candidates, who in his estimation, could facilitate the greatest good for the greater number of people in the state. This started as far back as 1978 when he teamed up with the late Alhaji Busari Adelakun (alias Eru o b’odo) to turn the political table against Venerable Emmanuel Alayande, thus enabling Chief Bola Ige to emerge as the governorship candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

Alayande, who was Ige’s Vice Principal at Ibadan Grammar School, had enjoyed the support of the party’s leadership but some young turks in the party believed that a younger man would serve the old Oyo State better.

When neither Ige nor Alayande could reach a compromise as to who should step down for the other, it was resolved that the duo should go for primaries. Alayande, who was from Ibadan, had banked on the high population of the city to coast home to victory but what he did not reckon with was the influence of Adelakun and Arisekola. With Adelakun’s grass roots strength and Arisekola’s deep pockets, Ibadan people were mobilized for Ige to the unpleasant surprise of Alayande. Having won the primaries, the main election was a walk over for Ige. 

The rise of Ige also meant the rise of Ariskola Alao in the politics of Oyo State as he became a celebrated force in the politics of the state. However, the romance between Ige and Alao did not last long as they both parted ways before the 1983 elections. What drove

the men apart was a comment allegedly made by Chief Ige that Ibadan people were not educated. This angered many Ibadan elite who vowed to ensure the ouster of Ige in the 1983 elections. Alao joined forces with Chief Augustus Meredith Adisa Akinloye and Chief Richard Akinjide, amongst others, to rally support for the governorship candidate of the National Party of Nigeria, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, who eventually defeated Ige and became the second executive governor of the old Oyo State.

The eventual victory of Chief Kolapo Ishola as Oyo State governor in 1991 was not without the support of Alhaji Alao. Although Ishola was handpicked by Chief Lamidi Adedibu, the political machinery that ensured his electoral victory was oiled by Alao. Ditto for the electoral success of Alhaji Lamidi Adesina in 1998 as Alao was said to have supported his aspiration and election financially.

When, ahead of the 2003 elections, the people of Ibadan craved for a change, Adedibu aligned with Senator Rashidi Ladoja and Alao supported the alliance. Ladoja eventually defeated Adesina to become the governor. Alao also supported the aspiration of Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala in 2007 before turning against him in 2011, following a disagreement. He never hid his support for the governorship ambition of Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi in 2011.

Two factors were responsible for the sustained relevance of Alao in the politics of Oyo State over a period of 36 years. The first is that Arisekola Alao always teamed up with people. The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland never operated alone; neither did he ever go against the will of the people because he wanted the best for the state. He was very close to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; and Chief Adedibu. The three of them, referred to as the three musketeers, were (until the death of Adedibu) largely responsible for the emergence of governors in the state.

The second factor is that Arisekola Alao was not involved in politics for personal benefits or aggrandizement. Unlike many political gladiators, he never insisted on imposing children or relations on those he helped into offices. Until the appointment of his son, Farouk Alao, as a commissioner by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Alao refrained from nominating his offspring for political offices.

But the late business mogul was not just a local political player; Arisekola Alao also played on the national scene. He was very friendly with national political leaders, especially military officers, and he never denied any of his friends. He was close to the late head of state, General Sani Abacha, and despite the latter’s unpopularity, he never denied him.