Kunle Oduah on Late Oba Hamzat :
GOODNIGHT BABA HAMZAT!
17 days to the inauguration of his son, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as Deputy Governor. Oba Hamzat, the octogenarian Olu of Afowowa Sogade, Ogun State is dead Baba was the leader of the famous APC caucus, Justice Forum, and father of Hon Ganiu Hamzat, former member of the House of Representatives. Kabiyesi death trailed the demise of prominent progressive actors and members of GAC, including Chief Mumuni Adio Badmus, Chief Wenu Hundeyin, Hon. Lateef Odunsi from Surulere and Pa Suarau from Ojo.
He was a very successful banker before politics in the first Republic, serving as a ward executive in old Mushin Local Government Area. In the Second Republic, he joined the Committee of Friends, which metamorphosed into the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In 1979, he was elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the UPN. His godfather was Pa Rafiu Solomon, state party treasurer, close associate of Alhaji Lateef Jakande and father of Senator Ganiyu Solomon.
His colleagues in the House of Assembly included Chief Busura Alebiosu from Kosofe, Oladimeji Longe, Longe Oyediran from Somolu, Clement Awoyelu from Amuwo Odofin, Oluwole Awolowo from Apapa, Hon. Ariyoh from Oshodi, and Hon L A Odunsi representing Idunmago the present Lagos Island Constituency 1. I will be forever be grateful to Alhaji Mutiu Are who facilitated my meeting with Baba sometime in 2014 during the build up to the 2015 general election in Canary Wharf. However, his membership of the House was shortlived. Following consultations with Pa Solomon, Hamzat was appointed as Commissioner for Transportation. Immediately he was appointed, he ran to the University of Lagos to brainstorm with experts in related fields of Transportation Geography to keep himself abreast of the technical requirements.
Indeed, Hamzat’s ministry pioneered the introduction of the light rail in Lagos, a project of the Jakande administration approved and launched by former President Shehu Shagari. The project was the first casualty of the military intervention in 1983.
Hamzat’s compatriots in Jakande’s cabinet were Olorunfunmi Basorun(Secretary to Government), Olawale Idris (Commissioner for Education), Ganiyu Dawodu(Local Government and Chietaincy Affairs), Afolabi Ege, Hundeyin, P.O Fagbeyiro, Alhaji Masha, Hon. Sobowale and Prof. Femi Agbalajobi, who later became Secretary to Government.
Hamzat was subjected to harassment after the 1983 coup by the military. But, the coup did not draw the curtains on his political career. He returned to his private business. Also, he enrolled for a writing course at the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Ogba.
In the Third Republic, he bounced back as a chieftain of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). The Lagos chapter split into two, following the struggle for the ticket between Dapo Sarunmi and Agbalajobi, both from Epe.
While Jakande and his group supported Agbalajobi, Primose, which was made up of other progressives including our Leader on the island Prince Oluyole Olusi, Shitta-Bey, Oladele Ajomale, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Tola Kasali and Basorun, supported Sarunmi. Hamzat was part of the latter group.
However, Sarunmi and Agbalajobi were disqualified by military President Ibrahim Babangida. Therefore, Jakande camp nominated Abiodun Ogunleye for the rescheduled primary. Sarunmi’s group supported Yomi Edu. Although Edu won the ticket, he lost the governorship election to Michael Otedola of the defunct National Republican Party (NRC).
Hamzat was one of the supporters of Chief Moshood Abiola, presidential candidate of the SDP. When the historic June 12 poll won by him was annulled, the group demanded for its de-annullment. In fact, Hamzat, Olusi, Tinubu and others had to leave Sarunmi’s group when he accepted to serve as minister(secretary) in the Interim Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan. Later, the Third Republic went with the wind.
In 1999, Hamzat became a founding member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Lagos State. He had wanted to serve ad commissioner in Tinubu cabinet. But, the former governor objected, saying that he could not order an old man around.
Therefore, Hamzat recommended the young and promising University of Lagos teacher, Dr. Muiz Banire, for a cabinet position. Although Tinubu never met Banire before, he made him a special adviser, and later, commissioner.
Although Hamzat’s two children won the House of Representatives tickets at Mushin and Ifako Ijaye, the family had to make a sacrifice by surrendering the Ifako Ijaye ticket.
Hamzat succeeded Pa Ayo Fasanmi as National Vice Chairman of the AD(Southwest).
Until his demise, he was an outstanding party leader, held in esteem by members.
He was an influential political leader in Lagos State before he was invited home to lead his people. In fact Oba Hamzat was the Vice Chairman of the influential Governor’s Advisory Council. An elder statesman in the then Action Congress and a coronated King through his maternal royal lineage. It was gathered that Oba Hamzat died in the early hours of Sunday due to age-related ailment.
No words can describe how sorry I am for the Deputy Governor- Elect Dr Hamzat and family, and the prestigious GAC of Lagos. Goodnight LEADER!
