Akin Omoboriowo, Nigerian lawyer and politician (b. 1932)

Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo, born on January 12, 1932, and passing away on April 10, 2012, was a prominent Nigerian lawyer and politician whose career was marked by significant events during the nation’s Second Republic (1979-1983). His journey through the political landscape of Nigeria, particularly in Ondo State, left an indelible mark, characterized by both ambition and controversy.

Early Political Career and the Ondo State Deputy Governorship

Omoboriowo initially rose to political prominence as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State. He was elected on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), a highly influential political party in the Yoruba-speaking regions of Nigeria, founded by the revered Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Running alongside the venerable Michael Adekunle Ajasin, who became the Governor, Omoboriowo played a key role in the state's administration. However, this political alliance soon faced internal strife. Omoboriowo reportedly harbored aspirations for the governorship, believing he had secured more votes than Ajasin in the UPN primaries, only to allege that party leaders had manipulated the results to favor Ajasin. This simmering discontent escalated into a public fallout with Governor Ajasin. A notable incident that underscored their strained relationship occurred when Governor Ajasin, while away from the state, refused to swear Omoboriowo into power as acting governor, a standard protocol at the time. This refusal further fueled Omoboriowo's disaffection, leading to a pivotal decision that would dramatically alter his political trajectory.

The Controversial Switch to NPN and the 1983 Elections

Driven by his gubernatorial ambitions and the deepening rift with Governor Ajasin, Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo made a bold and controversial move: he switched his allegiance from the UPN to the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), the then-ruling party at the federal level. This decision was met with considerable public skepticism, especially in Ondo State where the UPN enjoyed fervent loyalty. It was widely believed that Omoboriowo's defection came after an alleged prior agreement with Ajasin for the latter to step aside from the gubernatorial race had fallen through. Alongside other prominent UPN stalwarts, such as Chief S.A. Akerele, Omoboriowo defied popular sentiment to contest the 1983 governorship election against his former boss, Michael Adekunle Ajasin, under the NPN banner. The 1983 elections were highly charged across Nigeria, and Ondo State proved to be a particularly volatile battleground.

The "Omoboriowo Riots" and Their Tragic Aftermath

When the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) declared Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo the winner of the Ondo State governorship election on August 16, 1983, the announcement unleashed a wave of unprecedented violence across the state. These became infamously known as the "Omoboriowo riots" or "Omoboriowo-Ajasin riots." The unrest was reportedly among the most deadly in post-independence Yoruba-land, rivaled only by the "Wet è" riots of the 1960s, a period of severe political unrest in Western Nigeria. The riots specifically targeted NPN stalwarts and sympathizers, leading to significant loss of life and destruction of property. Tragically, prominent individuals were among the casualties, including Chief Olaiya Fagbamigbe of Fagbemigbe publishers and Hon. Kunle Agunbiade. An unverified, gruesome account suggests that Agunbiade was beheaded, with his head allegedly presented on a plate to certain UPN leaders. While Omoboriowo himself was spared, his associate Chief S.A. Akerele's house was razed to the ground by irate rioters, forcing Akerele and his family to flee to Kwara State for safety. In the midst of this intense political drama, Omoboriowo found some support within the Ondo State House of Assembly. Even after his resignation as Deputy Governor, the House repeatedly rejected Governor Ajasin's proposals to ratify a replacement, Dr. N.F. Aina, signaling a clear solidarity with Omoboriowo.

Legal Reversal and Life After the Second Republic

Despite the initial declaration of victory, Omoboriowo's election was swiftly challenged and subsequently reversed by an electoral court of appeal before he could even be inaugurated. This legal decision reinstated Michael Adekunle Ajasin as the rightful Governor of Ondo State, bringing an end to Omoboriowo's short-lived governorship. However, the political landscape was soon to change dramatically for the entire nation. On December 31, 1983, a military coup led by General Muhammadu Buhari brought an abrupt end to Nigeria's Second Republic. Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo, along with virtually all former governors and their deputies, was arrested and jailed as part of the new military regime's crackdown on corruption and political excesses. Interestingly, he was released without charge in less than 30 days, a relatively swift release compared to many of his peers. Reflecting on this period later in life, Omoboriowo remarkably stated that General Buhari was justified in jailing him and the others at the time, offering a rare perspective on the military intervention.

His Philosophy, Friendships, and Later Contributions

Omoboriowo was a staunch "Awoist," a follower of the political ideology and principles of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He even authored a book on Awoism, though it drew criticism from some fellow Awoists who perceived it as a crude attempt to curry favor with "Baba Awo," as Awolowo was affectionately known. Despite these criticisms, Baba Awo reportedly held a fondness for Omoboriowo and maintained contact with him. Omoboriowo himself claimed in an interview that Awolowo once remarked that of all the candidates in the 1979 elections, he was the only one not motivated by monetary desires. Nevertheless, their political relationship inevitably soured following Omoboriowo's defection from the UPN. Within the NPN, Omoboriowo forged new alliances and friendships, notably with Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu, a prominent Igbo leader and former Biafran head. Their friendship endured until Ojukwu's death in late 2011.

After the Second Republic, Chief Omoboriowo largely retired from partisan politics but continued to contribute to the Nigerian public sphere. He was a member of the 1996 Constitutional Conference and served on the 1997/98 National Reconciliation Committee, bodies crucial to Nigeria's political evolution. Later, he served as Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ado Ekiti. Most recently, before his passing, he held the position of Chairman of Genesis Electricity, an electrical company based in Abuja, where he resided for a significant period.

Final Years and Legacy

In the twilight of his life, Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo found profound solace in religion, becoming a professing, born-again Christian. He was known to punctuate almost every sentence with a reference to God, living a life of quiet devotion and service. In an interview, he described himself as "a rigorous Christian, worshipping at Christ Praise Assembly in Abuja. I belong to the end time church." In early 2012, Omoboriowo and his wife returned to his home state, Ekiti. In April of that year, he fell ill and was admitted to a hospital in Lagos for medical care. It was there that he passed away on April 10, 2012. News of his death, however, did not become public until the following afternoon. While certain sources suggested his death resulted from internal bleeding, a complication of prostate cancer he had been battling, his family chose not to confirm this information. He was survived by his wife, five children, and numerous grandchildren.

Upon his death, a wave of tributes poured in from various quarters, reflecting his stature and impact. Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine, famously tweeted, "the elephant has fallen," acknowledging Omoboriowo's significant presence. President Goodluck Jonathan also offered his condolences, describing him as a "politician who was not afraid to stand for his political beliefs," a fitting encapsulation of a life defined by conviction and dramatic political turns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo

Who was Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo?

Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo was a prominent Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as Deputy Governor of Ondo State during the Second Republic. He was known for his controversial defection from the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) to the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) to contest the 1983 governorship election in Ondo State.

What was his role in the Nigerian Second Republic?

During the Nigerian Second Republic (1979-1983), Omoboriowo served as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State under Governor Michael Adekunle Ajasin. His period in office was marked by internal party disputes and a significant political shift when he contested the 1983 governorship election under a different party.

Why was the 1983 Ondo State governorship election controversial?

The 1983 Ondo State governorship election was highly controversial because Omoboriowo, initially declared the winner by the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), had his victory disputed and subsequently reversed by an electoral court of appeal. This declaration ignited widespread, deadly riots across the state.

What were the "Omoboriowo riots"?

The "Omoboriowo riots" refer to the deadly civil unrest that erupted in Ondo State following the announcement of Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo as the winner of the 1983 governorship election. These riots were characterized by violence, destruction of property, and loss of life, primarily targeting supporters of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

What happened to Omoboriowo after the 1983 coup?

After the military coup of December 31, 1983, led by General Muhammadu Buhari, Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo was jailed along with many other former political office holders. However, he was released without charge within less than 30 days, a relatively brief incarceration compared to some of his contemporaries.

What was his relationship with Chief Obafemi Awolowo?

Omoboriowo was an "Awoist," adhering to Chief Obafemi Awolowo's political ideology. Although he authored a book on Awoism that drew some criticism, Awolowo ("Baba Awo") reportedly held a fondness for him. Their political relationship, however, soured after Omoboriowo's defection from Awolowo's Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

What were his contributions after the Second Republic?

Following the Second Republic, Omoboriowo remained active in national affairs. He served as a member of the 1996 Constitutional Conference and the 1997/98 National Reconciliation Committee. He also became Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ado Ekiti and later Chairman of Genesis Electricity.

How and when did Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo die?

Akinwole Michael Omoboriowo passed away on April 10, 2012, in a Lagos hospital after falling ill in his home state, Ekiti. While unconfirmed reports suggested he died from complications of prostate cancer, his family did not confirm the specific cause of death. He was survived by his wife, five children, and many grandchildren.