Encomium
FAMOUS actor cum film maker, Saidi Balogun, otherwise known as James Bond, has refuted the tale he’s fraternizing with Oyo governor, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi for a Special Adviser portfolio. He added, it’s nothing but a figment of people’s imagination.
Speaking with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Saturday, April 25, 2015, the Ibadan, Oyo born thespian expressed shock, wondering what could have informed the rumour. He, however, admitted relocating to Ibadan tentatively for personal reasons.
“I don’t understand what you mean by lobbying Ajimobi for political offer. That can’t be true. It’s just what some people are imagining because of my relationship with him. They don’t even know we’re from the same place. He’s from Ibadan South East where I am also from. Former Governor Rashidi Ladoja is also from Ibadan South East. But during the governorship campaign, I decided to support Ajimobi, not because I wanted anything from him but because I knew he could do it. I can’t lobby for any political office from him. All I know is that his government is transforming Oyo State, and I will continue to be a supporter of anything good.”
Asked to shed light on rumoured relocation to Ibadan for political reason, he reacted, “There is nothing like that. I didn’t relocate to Ibadan for political reason. The fact is that I have been in Ibadan for sometime now. However, that doesn’t mean I have relocated home permanently.
“I am from Kobomoje family in Ibadan where late Architect Layi Balogun was from. He vied for the presidential ticket of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) alongside late MKO Abiola in 1992. Also, late Suliat Adedeji and late Kunle Balogun were also from the same lineage. All these and more were from my family lineage and they all did the family proud. So, I am also doing my best to be on a path of honour by being a good ambassador of the great family, anywhere I find myself.
“Even Osun governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has always advised I should go back home and work for my people. And that’s why I was with Ajimobi throughout the campaign and elections. Now, I thank God the man won.
“Ajimobi is not the only one I had campaigned for, I had done similar thing for Governor Mimiko of Ondo State and he won. Equally, I campaigned for Governor Aregbesola of Osun State; he also won. So, they have all seen that element of success in whatever I support and that’s why they all love me.
“So, if people thought I relocated to Ibadan so that Ajimobi can make me one of his Special Advisers, they have missed it all. I am just in Ibadan tentatively to familiarize my children with my source because of the future, not that I am staying in Ibadan permanently.”
TADE ASIFAT
