It has been 23 years since Nigeria lost one of its prominent figures, Chief Bola Ige—a former governor of the Old Oyo State and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation. On December 23, 2001, his life was tragically cut short when he was assassinated by unknown assailants at Solemilia Court, No. 8 Akinlabi Sanda Close, Bodija, Ibadan. This devastating event not only destabilized his family but also led to the sudden passing of his wife, Atinuke Ige.
Chief Bola Ige, a Yoruba man, was born in Kaduna, where he experienced a modest upbringing. At 13, he moved to Western Nigeria in 1943 and attended Ibadan Grammar School before pursuing Classics at the University of Ibadan. His leadership skills and charisma became evident early in life; at the age of 23 in 1953, he was appointed the organizing secretary of the defunct Action Group. Through his exceptional organizational abilities, he expanded the party’s reach beyond its Western Nigerian roots.
Later, Bola Ige studied law at the University of London and was called to the Inner Temple Bar in 1961. Upon returning to Nigeria, he established Bola Ige & Co., a law firm that produced notable legal minds across the country.
Political Achievements and Public Service
Between 1967 and 1970, Ige served as Commissioner for Agriculture in the Western Region under the leadership of General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo. His tenure was marked by notable achievements in large-scale mechanized farming, which earned him enduring respect.
During the Agbekoya peasant uprising in the Nigerian Civil War, Bola Ige demonstrated exceptional diplomacy and conflict resolution skills to calm tensions. When the military government of General Olusegun Obasanjo lifted the ban on political activities in 1978, he joined the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), founded by his mentor, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
In 1979, Bola Ige emerged as the first civilian governor of Old Oyo State after defeating Chief Richard Akinjide of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). His tenure was notable for implementing the UPN’s free education policy and establishing major projects like the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), which endeared him to the masses.
National Politics and His Assassination
Bola Ige’s political journey continued into Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Though his presidential ambition in 1999 on the Alliance for Democracy (AD) platform did not materialize, he was appointed Minister of Mines and Power by President Olusegun Obasanjo. Later, he became the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Tragically, as Bola Ige was about to assume a prestigious role as Africa’s representative on the United Nations International Law Commission, he was gunned down at his residence in Ibadan.
The Controversies Surrounding His Death
Bola Ige’s assassination remains one of Nigeria’s most high-profile unsolved murders. Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka once reflected on the incident, describing it as a consequence of systemic corruption and lamenting the lack of thorough investigation into the case.
The murder was linked to political rivalries and tensions within the Alliance for Democracy (AD), particularly the strained relationship between Chief Bola Ige and then Deputy Governor of Osun State, Iyiola Omisore. This tension escalated after an altercation at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, where Ige was humiliated by a mob allegedly led by political thugs loyal to Omisore.
Following the incident, accusations and suspicions swirled around Omisore. He was eventually arrested alongside others but later released due to insufficient evidence. Chief Bisi Akande, in his autobiography My Participations, expressed his belief that the federal government at the time showed reluctance in pursuing justice for Bola Ige’s murder.
Legacy and Lasting Impact
Despite the controversies surrounding his death, Chief Bola Ige’s contributions to Nigeria remain indelible. His achievements in governance, education, and legal practice are celebrated to this day. The Yoruba people, in particular, honor his legacy, remembering him as a man of integrity, vision, and unwavering dedication to public service.
Chief Bola Ige’s funeral in January 2002 was a testament to his stature, drawing an outpouring of grief and reverence from across Nigeria. Thousands gathered at the Ibadan Liberty Stadium and his hometown of Esa-Oke to bid him farewell, solidifying his place as one of Nigeria’s brightest stars.
The Lessons of Bola Ige’s Life
Chief Bisi Akande’s reflections on the character and political trajectory of Iyiola Omisore underscore the need for vigilance in Nigeria’s political landscape. Omisore’s alliances with multiple political parties and his influence in Osun State politics remain subjects of public scrutiny. The 2018 Osun governorship election further highlighted the complexities of Nigerian politics, with Omisore playing a critical role in determining the outcome after the election was declared inconclusive.
As Nigeria reflects on the life and tragic death of Chief Bola Ige, his legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of justice, integrity, and purposeful leadership. His story continues to inspire those committed to building a better Nigeria.
For a deeper insight into Chief Bola Ige’s life, legacy, and the events surrounding his untimely death, readers can explore My Participations: An Autobiography by Chief Bisi Akande, available at Sunshine Bookseller.
