At 68, Senator Iyiola Ajani Omisore stands as one of Nigeria’s most polarizing yet enduring political figures. His life and career embody the complexities, contradictions, and relentless survival instinct that define Nigerian democracy. To his supporters, Omisore is a rose that blooms defiantly amid the choking weeds of envy, betrayal, and political machination. To his critics, he is a thorn—sharp, unyielding, and impossible to ignore. Regardless of where one stands, Omisore’s story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the sheer tenacity required to thrive in the turbulent landscape of Nigerian politics. His journey—from a technocrat to a deputy governor, senator, governorship candidate, and now National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC)—is a remarkable saga of survival in a system that spares no one.
The Weight of the Bola Ige Tragedy
No discussion of Senator Omisore’s career can sidestep the dark cloud cast by the assassination of Chief Bola Ige in 2001. At the time, Omisore was the Deputy Governor of Osun State, a position that placed him at the heart of Yoruba political dynamics. The brutal murder of Ige, Nigeria’s Attorney General and a towering Yoruba leader, sent shockwaves through the nation. The Obasanjo administration, in what many perceived as a politically motivated vendetta, swiftly pointed fingers at Omisore. He was arrested, publicly humiliated in chains, and prosecuted in connection with the murder. The image of Omisore in shackles became a symbol of betrayal in Yoruba political circles, as he was painted as a villain in a tragedy that shook the Southwest.
Yet, the courts told a different story. After a protracted legal battle, Omisore was acquitted, with the prosecution failing to provide concrete evidence linking him to the crime. To his supporters, this was vindication—a clear sign that Omisore had been a scapegoat in a larger political game orchestrated by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo. They argue that Obasanjo, in his quest to consolidate power and assert dominance over Yoruba politics, used the Ige assassination as a tool to neutralize potential rivals, with Omisore as a convenient target. The question lingers: if the evidence against Omisore was so compelling, why did the prosecution falter? Was he, as his defenders claim, a victim of political witch-hunting, or did he escape justice through a flawed judicial system, as his detractors insist?
The Bola Ige tragedy remains a wound that has not healed. Prominent Yoruba elders, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo and factions of the Afenifere socio-political group, have never forgiven Omisore. The Ige family, too, continues to view his acquittal with suspicion, seeing it as a failure of Nigeria’s justice system rather than proof of his innocence. For them, Omisore remains a symbol of betrayal, a man who, in their eyes, escaped accountability for a heinous crime. Yet, history demands fairness: without definitive evidence, can Omisore be condemned indefinitely? The lack of closure in the Ige case ensures that it remains a thorn in Omisore’s legacy, a shadow that neither time nor acquittal has fully dispelled.
A Political Odyssey: From PDP to APC
Omisore’s political journey is a case study in the fluidity and opportunism of Nigerian politics. His tenure with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was marked by both prominence and betrayal. After surviving the Ige controversy, Omisore rose to become a senator, representing Osun East from 2003 to 2011. His charisma, grassroots appeal, and aristocratic roots in Ile-Ife made him a formidable figure in Osun politics. The PDP, recognizing his influence, fielded him as its governorship candidate in 2014. However, the party’s internal machinations and lack of loyalty left Omisore politically stranded when the chips were down. The PDP, which had once embraced him, proved quick to discard him when it suited their interests.
The turning point in Omisore’s career came in 2018, during the Osun governorship rerun election. The APC, desperate to secure victory for its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola, turned to Omisore for support. This was a remarkable twist, given that APC leaders like Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Bisi Akande, and Rauf Aregbesola had previously vilified him in connection with the Ige assassination. Yet, politics, as Omisore well understood, is a game of interests, not emotions. His strategic backing of Oyetola in the rerun tipped the scales, transforming the so-called pariah into a kingmaker. The APC’s victory in Osun was a testament to Omisore’s enduring influence, proving that even those who had once condemned him could not afford to ignore his political capital.
The APC’s embrace of Omisore culminated in his appointment as the party’s National Secretary, a role that places him at the heart of its national machinery. This elevation raises questions about the sincerity of his critics within the APC. If Omisore was truly the villain they once painted him as, why entrust him with such a sensitive position? His rise within the APC underscores a fundamental truth about Nigerian politics: there are no permanent enemies or friends, only permanent interests. Omisore’s ability to navigate this reality—turning foes into allies and leveraging his influence at critical moments—marks him as a master of political survival.
A Life of Many Facets
At 68, Omisore is a man who has lived multiple lives within a single lifetime. As an engineer, he is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, a testament to his intellectual rigor and professional accomplishments. His technocratic background, coupled with international exposure, sets him apart from many of his peers in Nigerian politics, who often lack such credentials. As a politician, his resume is equally impressive: Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator, governorship candidate, and now APC National Secretary. Each role reflects his ability to adapt, strategize, and thrive in an environment where loyalty is fleeting, and betrayal is commonplace.
Omisore’s resilience is perhaps his most defining trait. He has weathered storms that would have broken lesser men: the public humiliation of the Ige trial, the PDP’s abandonment, and the APC’s initial condemnation. Yet, like a rose that blooms amidst thorns, he has emerged stronger with each challenge. His story parallels that of other Nigerian political survivors. Orji Uzor Kalu, for instance, endured imprisonment only to return as Senate Chief Whip. Nyesom Wike, after dismantling the PDP from within, now serves as a powerful minister under President Tinubu. Tinubu himself, once forced into exile, rose to become Nigeria’s president. Omisore belongs to this rare breed of politicians who bend but never break, who navigate the treacherous waters of Nigerian politics with an almost uncanny ability to survive.
The Rose and the Thorns
The metaphor of Omisore as a rose among thorns is apt. To his loyalists, he is a figure of brilliance and resilience, a man whose aristocratic Ife heritage and political acumen have made him indispensable. His supporters see him as a victim of circumstance, a man unfairly targeted by powerful forces yet capable of rising above adversity. His contributions to Osun politics, his role in shaping the APC’s success, and his ability to remain relevant across decades are proof of his enduring fragrance.
Yet, the thorns are undeniable. The unresolved questions surrounding Bola Ige’s death continue to haunt him, fueling distrust among Yoruba elders and intellectuals. Critics accuse him of opportunism, pointing to his seamless transition from PDP to APC as evidence of a lack of ideological grounding. They argue that his willingness to align with former adversaries reflects a prioritization of personal gain over principle. These criticisms, while sharp, are not unique to Omisore. Nigerian politics is a landscape where pragmatism often trumps ideology, and Omisore’s adaptability is as much a strength as it is a point of contention.
His story is not one of sainthood, nor does it pretend to be. Omisore is a product of his environment—a political system that rewards resilience, cunning, and the ability to forge alliances in the face of adversity. To judge him solely by the standards of morality is to misunderstand the nature of Nigerian democracy, where survival often demands compromise and calculation.
Omisore and the Mirror of Nigerian Politics
At 68, Omisore is not an outlier but a mirror of Nigerian politics itself. His career reflects the contradictions, flaws, and enduring spirit of the nation’s democratic experiment. He is flawed, like many of his contemporaries, but his imperfections are not unique. Former President Obasanjo, for instance, carries the burden of the Odi massacre and his controversial third-term bid. Tinubu, now president, has faced allegations of corruption and political maneuvering throughout his career. Atiku Abubakar has been dogged by unproven claims of graft. Even Goodluck Jonathan, often hailed as a “good man,” disrupted the PDP’s zoning arrangement, contributing to the party’s ongoing crises. In this context, Omisore’s journey is not an aberration but a reflection of the broader political landscape.
What sets Omisore apart is his ability to endure. He has faced trials—both literal and figurative—that would have ended the careers of others. Yet, he remains a central figure in Nigerian politics, a testament to his resilience and strategic brilliance. His story is a reminder that in Nigeria, politics is not a game for the faint-hearted. It is a battlefield where only the most adaptable survive, and Omisore has proven himself a master of the art.
Lessons from Omisore at 68
As Senator Iyiola Ajani Omisore celebrates his 68th birthday, his life offers valuable lessons about the nature of Nigerian politics. First, it underscores the importance of resilience. In a system where betrayal and adversity are constants, the ability to withstand setbacks is a prerequisite for success. Omisore’s ability to rise from the ashes of the Ige controversy and the PDP’s abandonment is a testament to this truth.
Second, his career highlights the fluidity of alliances in Nigerian politics. The same APC leaders who once condemned him now rely on his influence, proving that political enmity is rarely permanent. This pragmatism, while criticized by some, is a necessary tool for navigating a system where loyalty is often a luxury.
Finally, Omisore’s story is a reminder that Nigerian politics is not a domain for saints. It is a complex, often brutal arena where survival demands a combination of intellect, strategy, and adaptability. Omisore, with his blend of technocratic expertise, political savvy, and unyielding spirit, embodies these qualities.
A Rose That Refuses to Wither
At 68, Senator Iyiola Ajani Omisore stands as a symbol of endurance in the face of adversity. He is a rose that has bloomed despite the thorns of controversy, betrayal, and distrust. His journey—from an engineer to a deputy governor, senator, governorship candidate, and APC National Secretary—is a testament to his ability to navigate the complexities of Nigerian politics. He is not perfect, but perfection is not a prerequisite for survival in Nigeria’s political jungle. Instead, it is resilience, adaptability, and the ability to seize opportunities that define success.
As Nigeria continues its democratic journey, figures like Omisore will remain central to the narrative. They are the survivors who remind us that politics is not about sainthood but about enduring the thorns to preserve the rose. Happy 68th Birthday, Senator Iyiola Ajani Omisore—a man who, against all odds, refuses to wither.
