Obasanjo names ex-Minister as his political role model

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has identified the first Federal Minister of Social Services and Natural Resources, Adegoke Adelabu popularly called ‘Penkelemesi’ as his political role model, stressing that he believes in the political philosophy of the ex-Minister.
Obasanjo, who observed that the political philosophy of the late politician was devoid of ethnic and


tribal considerations, but focused on a united Nigeria, noted that a lot of Nigerians are still struggling to reach the pinnacle Adelabu attained in politics.
The former President stated this over the weekend while receiving the family of the late Ibadan-born politician, who visited him in Abeokuta, an occasion where he accepted the offer to be the patron of the posthumous centenary birthday celebration of the late politician.
Stressing that Adelabu was years ahead of his political contemporaries and an advocate for the United State of West Africa before his demise, Obasanjo said, “Adelabu was not just a historic figure, he was a reality, he was a phenomenon, he was uniquely Yoruba, uniquely Nigerian, uniquely African and uniquely a member of human race.
“What you are proposing to do, I believe Adelabu deserved it in every facet. Today, we are still struggling to reach the pinnacle or the pedestrial Adelabu reached in politics, of not being swayed by linguistic, ethnic, tribal, regional, sectional consideration but by what is best for Nigeria.

“He was years ahead of his contemporary politicians. In his life time, he was talking of United State of West Africa, ECOWAS came up years after his demise. In his lifetime, he belonged to a political party that has its base outside the western region where he came from. He was not a tribal baron, but a national politician.
“So, when you asked me to be the patron of Adelabu posthumous centenary birthday celebration, I have no reason to say no”.