By Ayodele Fagbohun

The unresolved gruesome political assassination, shrouded in mystery of Uncle Bola Ige (SAN), the only Deputy Leader of Afenifere, a pan Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization and the dynamo of Yoruba politics, was a death too many in the annal of history in the South West of Nigeria.

Chief Bola Ige, the cizero of Esa-Oke was murdered in cold blood like a chicken in his bedroom on the evening of December 23, 2001, 23 years ago; whilst on active service as Attorney-General and Justice Minister under the close watch of President Olusegun Obasanjo, a retired Army General.

This national tragedy of gargantuan loss of Chief Bola Ige in politics and public administration cast an ugly big question mark on  the personal integrity of Chief Obasanjo who initially promised to unmask the killers of our amiable judicial officer and elederstatesman to quickly bring them to justice in record time.

To the chagrin and consternation of the bewildering public, a whole generalissimo who presided over the security architecture of the country reneged on his promise and displayed callous indifference, non-challence and plan treachery towards the heinous crime allegedly masterminded right from the top echelon of  Obasanjo’s presidency.

Although, the strange cowardly murder of this political icon, chief Ige, the former governor of old Oyo State, and frontline law officer in Nigeria was a terrible dark slur on entire Yoruba race and backlash of the rank indiscipline and political gangsterism pervading the rank and file in then ruling Alliance for Democracy (AD) which was firmly in control of the south west.

General Obasanjo led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) controlled Federal Government in a divide and rule tactics surreptitiously infiltrated and weakened the leadership of AD/Afenifere, already polarized and balkanized by fake awoists all over the place. This further heightened the political tension, disorderliness and brigandage in the South West where Uncle Bola Ige held sway, a major player as the respected political godfather and kingmaker in Oyo and Osun politics.

Ige also paid price of leadership for his pivotal role in building a disciplined, invincible and formidable party machinery and structure first in the south west and spread tentacles across the country.

Unfortunately, the events unfolded rapidly. On the seventh day or thereabout of the barbaric incident at Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife,  the cradle of Yorubaland, some desperate villains manhandled Chief Bola Ige and proceeded, without let or hinderance to hack him down like a chicken in his Ibadan Bodija’s bedroom on the evening of December 23, 2001.

His security details reportedly went for dinner when the pre-determined tragedy struck at Chief Bola Ige’s Bodija Estate residence, Ibadan the political headquarters of South West.

On the fateful day, as the sad news filtered in, Uncle Bola Ige had been attacked and thereby hospitalized in Oluyoro Hospital. The then governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina left for the hospital and beheld his political grandmaster, Ige writhing in pains. Uncle Bola Ige had been mortally wounded!

Here is pertinent dialogue on phone which ensued between Governor Lam Adesina of Oyo and President Olusegun Obasanjo in Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Gov. Lam Adesina, Oyo: Are you aware sir, that Chief Bola Ige sustained some injuries from attack this evening? President Obasanjo: Is Bola Ige certified dead? Gov. Lam. Adesina What a bunkum!! Ended summarily the hostile dialogue!!

This was a height of sickening depravity, hypocrisy, naked sadism, cruelty from an unconscionable person who arrogantly displayed morbid jealousy against the ever rising political profile of affable Uncle Bola Ige, the heir apparent (the Arole of Awo).

Once upon a time, General Obasanjo was taken aback and mortally afraid of ever increasingly political rising profile of Uncle Bola Ige, Obafemi Awolowo did not want Ige, to be called after a Roman political general cizero, for the circumstances of his death as a martyr.

Uncle Bola Ige inadvertently stole the show and the glamour in Kano political rally where he displayed flawless command in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages fluently to captivate the attention of his audience.

In the crowd, General Olusegun Obasanjo was indeed mesmerized and relegated as political unquantity. His pride was deflated on the more lively and acrobatic performance of Bola Ige, the indubitable leader of Yoruba nation.

Since Obasanjo reacted negatively to have his pound of flesh and plucked the political wings of Uncle Bola Ige, the stage was set to plot for the elimination of the foremost nationalist figure, after the death of the leader, Obafemi Awolowo.

It is over 24 years, the aftermath of the gory and sinister experience still tremble our thoughts on the unprovoked killing of Uncle Bola Ige as federal minister (1999-2001). Until his death, Ige was being looked upon and regarded by this impeccable and selfless service to the nation, as the political heir apparent to the late sage, the indomitable Awo.

According to Yoruba wise crack, “Iyan Ogun odun jo enia lenu” which could literally and in figurative term translate: “no matter how long it may be or tarry, truth crushed to the earth will certainly rise again. And justice will be served no matter how the issue at stake is being swept under the carpet.

God, the ultimate judge avers that, vengeance is mine and certainly will deliver the verdict at the fullness of time. God is not limited by space or time.

Bola Ige as a legal icon was billed for an international appointment in the United Nation’s World Court at the Hague. He was to assume duty early in the new year, 2002 when tragedy struck.

It was strongly alleged that the murderers struck late in the evening at Bodija area, got their dossiers from the presidency. The contrary has not yet been proved until now.

Whilst Uncle Bola Ige fell headlong in the midst of the battle, his murderers vanished to the thin air and not apprehended let alone brought to justice.

Having sustained a rude shock, his amiable wife, retired Justice Atinuke Ige (OFR) died in a most painful, pathetic and dramatic situation. May her gentle soul continue to rest in the Lord Jesus. Amen.

Uncle Bola Ige’s soulmate, Professor Wole Soyinka, first African winner of Nobel laureate in literature described Bola Ige as “ecumenical” politician who haboured no angst, bile or vitriolic bitterness against no one, be his political detractors or associates. But consistently and boldly vented his spleen against reactionary forces and the ultra conservatism and fought mightily hard with a view to installing good governance cum ideologically oriented progressive conduct of government business across the country.

Bola Ige courted and suffered political martyrdom on the weight of his strong political ideological belief to call off the cant, humbug of political apostasy.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must revisit Bola Ige murder saga, acknowledge his uncanny attributes of patriotism, self sacrifice and selflessness to serve; his intrepidity and political bravery in the face of bayomets and saber rattling of General Sani Abacha’s gestapo.

The Federal Government must deem it fit to posthumously honour an illustrious hero of our hard won democracy, Chief James Ajibola Idowu Ige a.k.a. Uncle Bola Ige with the highest honour of the land, the Grand Commander of Federal Republic (G.C.F.R). The time for the honour’s award is now!