Ibrahim Olanrewaju Ajiboye, the Allied People’s Movement (APM) chairmanship candidate for Ibadan North East Local Government, says the money his late mother earned selling fried fish at Orita Iperin junction paid for his education. He still calls himself “Omo Iya Eleja,” meaning “son of a fish seller,” in her honour.
Ajiboye spoke to Ibadan City Announcer on the sidelines of an APM gathering at the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, on Friday. He said his mother encouraged her children to keep striving and that the name reminds him of the standards she set for them.
“It reminds me, if I want to make a mistake, that I am a son of a fried fish seller,” he said.
Born in Aromo Idi Ose, Ward 8 of Ibadan North Local Government, and raised partly in Adesola, Ajiboye said he had long dreamed of going further in life. He recalled that his mother always expected more from her children. “She was never satisfied,” he said.
Ajiboye said he now runs Softmultibiz Nigeria Limited, a Nigerian company that exports local products, and Larryma Group, an oil and gas business based in Dallas, Texas. He said he had held several roles in the private sector and had previously contested for a seat in the House of Representatives.
He described Friday’s gathering, which brought together APM contenders including governorship aspirant Abimbola Adekanmbi, as a chance for party candidates to hear from residents and explain what they intend to pursue under the Omituntun 3.0 agenda.
“The hangout is for the people of Ibadan to know that we are together and we are with them. We want to hear from them,” he said. He added that the party would use the gathering to seek support for its candidates “from councillorship all the way to presidency.”
Ajiboye credited Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration with improving security, keeping public spaces cleaner and paying workers on time since taking office in 2019. He also praised the state government and security agencies for their role in securing the release of abducted students in Oriire Local Government.
“The major concern of any government should be the protection of lives and property of its citizens,” he said.
Asked what residents should expect from him if elected, Ajiboye said the benefits of local government should reach everyone in Ibadan North East, regardless of party affiliation or whether they are involved in politics.
