Sanwo-Olu commiserates with Ajimobi family over daughter’s death

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stirred controversy with his public condolence message to the family of late Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, following the death of his daughter, Mrs. Bisola Kola-Daisi. Critics argue that the governor’s statement reflects the political class’s selective concern, as similar tragedies among ordinary Nigerians often go unnoticed.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, described the death as “tragic and shocking,” offering his sympathies to Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, the deceased’s husband Idris Kola-Daisi, and their extended families. However, many Nigerians on social media questioned why such high-profile condolences are reserved for the political elite, while countless families suffering similar losses receive no acknowledgment from those in power.

Adding to the debate, the governor praised the late Bisola Kola-Daisi’s contributions as a Special Adviser to the Minister of Budget and Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu. He stated that she had “left her footprints on every project she handled,” raising further questions about whether political appointments in Nigeria are dominated by the well-connected, rather than being based on merit.

“The death of a loved one is painful,” Sanwo-Olu said, urging the bereaved family to take solace in God. While his words may seem compassionate, they have ignited fresh conversations about the privilege of Nigeria’s political families, with many wondering if the same level of public mourning is extended to everyday citizens who lose their loved ones to issues such as insecurity, poor healthcare, and economic hardship.

As condolences pour in, Nigerians continue to ask: Is the government truly for the people, or just for the elite?