*Commemorates late dad 16yrs memorial anniversary
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
A Germany-based Nigerian politician and businessman, Hon. Olayinka Oladimeji Segelu has pleaded with the Oyo State Government to honour his late father, Hon. Olusegun Moses Akintola Oladimeji Segelu.
In a statement to commemorate the 16th memorial anniversary of the late politician, the Germany based Nigerian politician on behalf of the Oladimeji Segelu family, said it is unfortunate that Oyo State Government is yet to honour his late father, Hon Olusegun Oladimeji Segelu,
According to Hon Olayinka, “with the significant role played by his late father in the political firmament of Oyo State, he deserves to be posthumously honoured”, saying, his father, who was gruesomely murdered 16 years ago (September 14, 2007), contributed in no small measure to the political growth and democratic advancement of Oyo State and Nigeria in general.
“I humbly request that my father’s name should be engraved in the minds of the people. Segelu Bus Stop is known from the 1970s till date and Segelu Area is a well-known area. I hereby request for the New Ife Road from under the bridge going to Gbagi be named after my father as Segelu Express Road”, he said.
Hon Olayinka added, “In the alternative, the newly constructed ultramodern motor park in Iwo-road, Ibadan should be named after him to etch his name in the hearts of the good people of the state. Interestingly, my father was the first private motor park operator in the entire city of Ibadan, with his Segelu Transport Service adjacent to his hotel, along Ife-road, Ibadan. His transport service company could boast of about ten brand new Peugeot 505 cars in his pool at the time.
“I plead with Governor Seyi Makinde to consider the humble request which I am conveying to him on behalf of the family. Our father’s name must not be allowed to be wiped away. He fought for his people all his life. He started at the grassroots serving as a Councilor in Lagelu Local Government between 1988 and 1989. He was Chairman, National Republican Convention (NRC) Lagelu Local Government from 1990 to 1992. He was Oyo State Coordinator for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur Presidential Campaign Organisation in 1992″
He noted further, “He became the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State from 1998 till his life was tragically cut short via a politically orchestrated assassination in 2007. He was elected as the State Chairman of the PDP in Oyo State 1999 to 2001 and appointed Board Chairman, National Productivity Centre, Abuja from 2001 to 2004. Elected Member, House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja 2007 and was assassinated in his constituency office on September 14, 2007. Governor Seyi Makinde was then the candidate of Oyo South Senatorial District under ANPP.
“I am sure he must have heard about my father’s good deeds before he was killed. I made it a clear statement to the governor during one of my meetings with him that I deserve all the needed political support and assistance from him if not for my personal input in politics, but for my father’s sake and the manner he was taken away from us.
Hon Olayinka maintained, “I remember vividly the words of the then sitting governor, HE Late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala when my father, Chief Hon. (Dr.) Olusegun Moses Akintola Oladimeji Segelu was gruesomely killed. Knowing that the gruesome murder of my dad was politically motivated, the late Alao-Akala had, as quoted in the Nation of September 19, 2007, said that ‘Politicians should talk to themselves. This is politics of bitterness. If it were to be in another camp, they would be shouting Adedibu/Akala. These are people who never identified with our camp. We know them but God will definitely expose them.’
Olayinka Segelu, an erstwhile Personal Assistant (PA) to ex-Speaker Dimeji Bankole, took after his late father in politics.
He contested to secure the ticket of PDP for House of Representatives in 2015 and 2023 to no avail.
