Alhaji Abdul Azeez Kolawole Adeyemo
Encyclopedia
Abdul Azeez Kolawole Adeyemo (June 14, 1941 – March 12, 2002), popularly known as 'Alhaji how are you', was a Nigerian and prominent Yoruba Politician. He was born in Ado-Ekiti the Ekiti State capital to Sir. Rufai Adeyemo & Princess Adebolarin Agunsoye. Growing up as a catholic during the British colonial era, 'Alhaji how are you' later converted to Islam as a dedicated Ahmadiyya
http://www.alislam.org/- an Islamic movement founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
that was introduced to Nigeria in 1916, which appealed especially to young intellectuals. 'Alhaji how are you' became a politician early in his career. He joined the Western Region campaign of Egbe Omo Oduduwa
founded by Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo
. 'Alhaji how are you' was also a front-line member of Action Group political party which later metamorphosed into Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)
. His main legacy was to secure democracy and good governance
in post independent Nigeria
.
as a Member of Parliament on October 1, 1979 when Alhaji Shehu Shagari
was sworn in as the first President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The government was later removed from power on New Year's Eve 1983 by Major General Muhammadu Buhari
.
Alhaji A.A.K Adeyemo played a significant role as a Campaign Manager in the victory of the short lived government of Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, Governor of old Ondo State from 1991 to 1993 under the umbrella of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)
. He later served in that administration as the Ondo State Parliamentary Co-ordinator & Liaison Officer. The biggest problem that clogged the wheel of Nigeria’s ride to social, economic and political self-actualization was epitomised by Military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida's annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential polls won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola
in a free and fair election. The annulment coupled with the dissolution of the political parties invariably led to the demise of the civilian government in all individual states across the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Once again, the Nigerian dream of a democratic sovereignty to which 'how are you' remained absolutely committed was cut short in a carapace of indifference and cynicism; justice was debased to tokenism and cynical symbolism.
'. He was also instrumental in the creation of Ekiti State in October, 1996. Following the restoration of democracy in the late 90's shorty after the sudden and mysterious death of the military dictator General Sani Abacha, Alhaji Adeyemo continued to be politically active and assumed the status of a 'Godfather' owning to his sphere of influence across the political terrain and oligarchy
. This was demonstrated by his unquestionable role in the political aspiration of Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo as first Governor elect, Ekiti State, under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD)
,1999.
A shortlist of his political alliances includes Samuel Adekunle Ajasin JP, Alhaji Shehu Musa Yaradua, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, Chief Olu Falae, General Adeyinka Adebayo, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, Segun Kokumo Agagu, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Pa Abraham Adesanya, T.Y Danjuma, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Otunba Reuben Famuyibo, Adebayo Adefarati, and Chief Bola Ige amongst others.
Ahmadiyya
Ahmadiyya is an Islamic religious revivalist movement founded in India near the end of the 19th century, originating with the life and teachings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad , who claimed to have fulfilled the prophecies about the world reformer of the end times, who was to herald the Eschaton as...
http://www.alislam.org/- an Islamic movement founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
Mīrzā Ghulām Aḥmad was a religious figure from India and the founder of the Ahmadiyya Community. He claimed to be the Mujaddid of the 14th Islamic century, the promised Messiah , and the Mahdi awaited by the Muslims in the end days...
that was introduced to Nigeria in 1916, which appealed especially to young intellectuals. 'Alhaji how are you' became a politician early in his career. He joined the Western Region campaign of Egbe Omo Oduduwa
Egbe Omo Oduduwa
Egbé Ọmọ Odùduwà, was a Nigerian political organization established in 1945, when Chief Obafemi Awolowo along with Dr. Oni Akerele, Chief Akintola Williams, Professor Saburi Biobaku, Chief Abiodun Akinrele, Chief Ayo Rosiji and others, met in London....
founded by Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo
Obafemi Awolowo
Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo was a Nigerian politician, trade unionist, author and statesman. A Yoruba and native of Ikenne in Ogun State of Nigeria, he started his career as a regional political leader like most of his pre-independence contemporaries and was responsible for much of the progressive...
. 'Alhaji how are you' was also a front-line member of Action Group political party which later metamorphosed into Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)
Unity Party of Nigeria
The Unity Party of Nigeria was a Nigerian political party that was dominant in western Nigeria during the second republic. The party revolved around the political leadership of Obafemi Awolowo, a sometimes polemical but effective administrator. However, the party's main difference with its...
. His main legacy was to secure democracy and good governance
Good governance
Good governance is an indeterminate term used in development literature to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in order to guarantee the realization of human rights. Governance describes "the process of decision-making and the process by which...
in post independent Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
.
Background and Political life
A clergy, a successful business man, and an orator who assumed his first political office in the Second RepublicNigerian Second Republic
The Second Republic was the republican government of Nigeria between 1979 and 1983 governed by the second republican constitution.- Founding :...
as a Member of Parliament on October 1, 1979 when Alhaji Shehu Shagari
Shehu Shagari
Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, Turakin Sakkwato served as the President of Nigeria's Second Republic , after the handover of power by General Olusegun Obasanjo's military government....
was sworn in as the first President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The government was later removed from power on New Year's Eve 1983 by Major General Muhammadu Buhari
Muhammadu Buhari
Muhammadu Buhari was a military ruler of Nigeria and an unsuccessful candidate for president in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections...
.
Alhaji A.A.K Adeyemo played a significant role as a Campaign Manager in the victory of the short lived government of Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, Governor of old Ondo State from 1991 to 1993 under the umbrella of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Social Democratic Party (Nigeria)
The Social Democratic Party of Nigeria, popularly known as SDP, was a political party created to encompass the ideals of a center left political organization. It was one of the products of a democracy project by former President Ibrahim Babangida to have two detribalized political parties, one a...
. He later served in that administration as the Ondo State Parliamentary Co-ordinator & Liaison Officer. The biggest problem that clogged the wheel of Nigeria’s ride to social, economic and political self-actualization was epitomised by Military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida's annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential polls won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola , often referred to as M. K. O. Abiola, was a popular Nigerian Yoruba businessman, publisher, politician and aristocrat of the Egba clan...
in a free and fair election. The annulment coupled with the dissolution of the political parties invariably led to the demise of the civilian government in all individual states across the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Once again, the Nigerian dream of a democratic sovereignty to which 'how are you' remained absolutely committed was cut short in a carapace of indifference and cynicism; justice was debased to tokenism and cynical symbolism.
Elder Statesman
Alhaji Adeyemo was also a renowned leader of the PAN Yoruba Elders Consultative Forum popularly known as 'AfenifereAfenifere
Afenifere was formed as a socio-cultural organization for the Yoruba people of Nigeria, with Abraham Adesanya as its leader and Chief Bola Ige as deputy leader. Other founding members were Pa Onasanya, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Adegbonmire, Okurounmu Femi, Ganiyu Dawodu, Olanihun Ajayi, Olu Falae,...
'. He was also instrumental in the creation of Ekiti State in October, 1996. Following the restoration of democracy in the late 90's shorty after the sudden and mysterious death of the military dictator General Sani Abacha, Alhaji Adeyemo continued to be politically active and assumed the status of a 'Godfather' owning to his sphere of influence across the political terrain and oligarchy
Oligarchy
Oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with an elite class distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, commercial, and/or military legitimacy...
. This was demonstrated by his unquestionable role in the political aspiration of Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo as first Governor elect, Ekiti State, under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD)
Alliance for Democracy (Nigeria)
The Alliance for Democracy was a progressive opposition political party in Nigeria. It was formed on September 9th 1998. At the 2003 legislative elections, 12 April 2003, the party won 8.8 % of the popular vote and 34 out of 360 seats in the Nigerian House of Representatives and six out of...
,1999.
A shortlist of his political alliances includes Samuel Adekunle Ajasin JP, Alhaji Shehu Musa Yaradua, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, Chief Olu Falae, General Adeyinka Adebayo, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, Segun Kokumo Agagu, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Pa Abraham Adesanya, T.Y Danjuma, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Otunba Reuben Famuyibo, Adebayo Adefarati, and Chief Bola Ige amongst others.