Even with admonition to supporters and volunteers to suspend activities aimed at promoting gubernatorial bid, Engr. Dotun Sanusi on Wednesday received Islamic clerics from Ibadanland at his Ilaji Hotel and Sports Resorts, Oloyo village, Akanran, Ibadan.

The clerics, who came under the aegis of League of Imams and Alfas from the 11 local government areas of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said they contacted the grand Imam of Ibadan, Sheikh Abdul Ghaniyy Agbotomokekere who gave them the blessing to visit the philanthropist.

Assuring Sanusi of total support in his endeavours, they described him as someone who has consistently supported the cause of everyone with love for everyone.

“We didn’t come here for nothing. Though we read your statement few days ago, imploring lovers and supporters to suspend mobilization and campaign for your ambition that you have not told anyone, we are not in agreement. You may not have revealed your intention but like others, we have seen what you might not have seen in yourself. We want you to run. We need a masses-friendly like you to come out. We are saying this because of the condition of the country at this point in time. Only people with love for the masses can bring smile to everyone’s face.

“On many occasions, you have reached out to everyone without leaving anyone behind. Beyond us, we have read and heard stories of your kindness. It is not pretense like other politicians do. Inside here, there is a Mosque and a Church. We know many of our others who have been lifted by you. We know how many people you have lifted out of unemployment through your many ventures. Many communities can testify to your love through road repairs, electrification, youth empowerment and others. Ibadan is proud of what you have constantly do to support any of its programmes.

“Apart from coming to intimate you of our forthcoming programmes for Hijrah 1445 and pray for you for your love towards us and others, we have come to identify with everything you do.

“We pray Allah continue to support you and reward you for everything you have done,” they added, raining prayers on Sanusi.

Responding, Sanusi who is also the Otun Apesinola of Ibadanland, expressed appreciation for the visit. He explained that “I feel so bad when I see people lacking. I am not always comfortable having enough while some have nothing. In the end, we won’t take anything to heaven but the impact we make will be long remembered after we are dead. I think that informs the establishment of my businesses. It isn’t profit per se. What I spend is more than what I gain. Society can only be good when majority can smile.

“While I thank you for your support and that of others, I am optimistic that God almighty will choose good leaders for us. But I want to assure you that with or without political power, I will continue to assist people. My family are supportive of this gesture of supporting people. So I am not disturbed,” he added.

Some associates of the Ibadan-born billionaire businessman and Chairman of Ilaji Resorts and Hotel, Dotun Sanusi, are pushing for his chance of contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress as Oyo State governor in 2027.

Daily Trust Newspaper reports that though Sanusi, who is the Jagun Olubadan of Ibadanland, is not a registered member of any party, indications were that the Peoples Democratic Party and the APC were rooting for him to join the contest.

This was against the stance of the businessman, who had earlier warned groups campaigning for him to run for Oyo State governor in 2027 to stop immediately.

In a statement on his verified social media handle, Sanusi expressed his concern over the increasing pressure from supporters.

He stressed that his future was in God’s hands and his service to humanity would continue regardless of political ambitions.

Sanusi, known for his philanthropic efforts and support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde in the 2023 general election, said, “I am not doing what I do for political gains. I am committed to the greater good of our people. Giving is part of my life. Enough is enough, and the supporters should go and rest.”

Also, his wife, Belema, who hails from Rivers State and children were not disposed to politics as they told some of the closest colleagues to ask the businessman to shelve his ambition.

However, the political calculation had been to push the philanthropist into the governorship contest ahead of 2027.

Some of those pushing him said the 56-year-old Sanusi had become a rallying point for the people.

“It is on record that he is the largest single individual who has assisted people of the state. This is even by the side, the Ona-Ara Local Government Area of the state, which used to be seen as the most backwards, is now receiving attention because of Sanusi’s efforts,” they said.

Sanusi, who had invested in the South-South states of Rivers and Akwa-Ibom, set up some ventures primarily to empower the people of the state, especially at the Oloyo village of Akanran, headquarters of Ona-Ara Local Government Area, which now houses Ilaji Farms, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort; Ilaji Football Clubs which have partnership with Maltese and Spanish club sides and a host of others.

One of the Ibadan mogajis who did not want his name in print said “Oloye Sanusi is without a party for now. And there is a reason for that. He did not have ambition at first. All the noises you have been hearing, some of us are behind it.

“He mobilised all voting population within the state for President Tinubu during the 2023 election. Shortly after, the people of Ibadan asked him to support the reelection of Governor Makinde. He supported the Ibadan agenda and the rest, like they say, is history.

“That is why people think Sanusi is PDP. He isn’t. He has a rainbow-like relationship with people.

“Some of his associates in the private sector especially have taken the bull by the horns by reaching out to the powers that be in the Villa and the feedback has been positive. We are happy.”

When reminded that the businessman had asked supporters to cease canvassing for him, another supporter said “It is not that he doesn’t have ambition again. We are still on his neck.

“We cannot continue to allow just anyone to govern this state again. We have to look for public-spirited individuals and that is what we have done in the case of Sanusi.

“We didn’t want to go further without examining the success we have made in the past month. With the consultation ongoing especially as it regards the APC, you will see us coming out in a few months, more organised and visible.”

An aspirant for House of Representatives in Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Lawal Akinkunmi Monsur, has commiserated with the entire All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the state over the demise of its Chairman, Barrister Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu who died in the early hours of Monday morning.

In a statement made available to pressmen, Lawal described the late chairman as a man of simplicity who is down to earth.

According to him, Omodewu who was a former commissioner during the time of Governor Abiola Ajimobi opened his door to people irrespective of the relationship that exists between them.

“I want to commiserate with the entire progressives family in the state over the loss of our amiable state chairman, Barr. Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu.

“His passage came as a rude shock to us and at a time when his unifying effort would have been appreciated the more.

“We all should take solace in the fact that Mr chairman lived a fulfilled life, even though we don’t want him to leave us yet.

“May God in His infinite mercy grant him eternal rest and be with family and loved ones,” he said.

Senator Sharafadeen Alli (APC-Oyo South) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Isaac Omodewu.

This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Akeem Abas and made available to newsmen on Monday in Ibadan.

Senator Alli described Omodewu’s death as a monumental loss to the party and the entire state.

He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the late chairman, the APC in Oyo State, and all who were touched by Omodewu’s exemplary leadership.

According to Senator Alli, Chief Omodewu was a man of integrity, wisdom and unwavering dedication to the progress of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State.

“His leadership was marked by a deep commitment to unity and the growth of the party, and his contributions to the political landscape of the state will never be forgotten.

“Chief Isaac Omodewu was more than just a party leader; he was a pillar of strength and a guiding light for many within our party.”

The lawmaker urged members of the party and those who knew Chief Omodewu to honour his memory by upholding the values he stood for.

Senator Alli called for prayers for the repose of Omodewu’s soul and strength for his family in this difficult time.

“May Almighty Allah grant Chief Omodewu eternal rest and comfort his family and loved ones.

“This is a great loss, but we take solace in the fact that he lived a life of service and left behind a legacy that will continue to guide us,” Alli concluded.

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji Ph.D, has expressed shock over the death of Hon. Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu, chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, describing the lawyer’s death as a personal loss.

Condoling family, friends and especially the APC in the state, Adedeji in a statement by his Technical Assistat on Media, Sikiru Akinola, said Omodewu died at a time he was still needed to contribute more to the deepening of democracy.

Adedeji who said he and Omodewu were commissioners at the same time in the administration of late former governor Abiola Ajimobi explained that “We had a cordial working relationship. He was a big brother to me in the cabinet and after office. Nobody saw his death coming.

“Though we are all humans, the death of my Egbon, Hon. Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu has reminded us of one thing— we should live everyday as though it is our last. We should strive to do good.

“We had hoped to see more of him, but here we are mourning our beloved Egbon.

“I condole the people he left behind, including his aged mother, wife and children. I sympathize with friends and members of the party in Oyo State. May God Almighty grant us the strength to bear the loss,” he added.