Ajimobi meets Buhari in Aso rock, says I wish Oyo people were more patient

The outgoing Governor of Oyo state, Abiola Ajimobi, on Friday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, after which he expressed regret that he was not able to do all he wanted to do as governor.

He also hoped that the people had been more patient and showed more understanding.

The governor revealed that he would not be around for the inauguration of the new state governor as he would be away for lesser Hajj.

He said that he has left a good legacy in Oyo state as he believes that he has been able to bring to it peace, tranquillity and development.

Asked if he had any regrets, he said: “I think I regret the fact that I have not been able to do everything I wanted to do. I wish our people could be more understanding, could be more patient but they feel that any time you try to make a change, people resist change even if it’s good for them. I wish I had been in politics 20 years ago.”

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He said he was at the presidential villa to thank the president for all he did for states at a time they were having difficulty paying salaries.

He stated: “I want to thank President Buhari for the support he has given all the states particularly during the period of scarcity of funds to execute our projects, to pay salaries, to meet the socioeconomic development demands.

“He was on hand to help all of us. He supported us by releasing funds to all of us and as at today that I am talking, most of the states including Oyo state are not owing salaries.

“He also assisted us with social infrastructure that is extending the welfare nets to the states, that is why I am here to thank Mr President because in another two days I am going for Umrah and by the time I come back, I won’t be in office as Governor.  I am going to Umrah to thank God.

“When I came in, I pleaded with God to give me the opportunity to serve peacefully and that He did.

“I also want to thank the people of Oyo State for allowing me to be the first governor to do two terms of eight years. It has never happened in Oyo State.

“I am leaving a legacy of peace and security in Oyo. At a time Oyo State was seen as what you call a garrison state. Today, Oyo state is one of the peaceful states in Nigeria. If our government has not done anything at all, we have brought peace and tranquillity and development to Oyo state. It’s been a worthwhile venture.

“Many of us could sit back and say I retired as an MD of a multinational but if we sit back and play the ostrich, we will see that evil will always triumph when men of good will fail to act.

“I want to say that Ajumobi came, brought peace to Oyo state and added value to the social economic development of the State and to Nigeria in general.”