Details: Why Ex-Bank Chief Bimbo Ashiru Is Regarded As A Future Gov Of Ogun State

Abimbola Ashiru the silent player in high-society and former bank chief is decorated with a growing perception.

Societynow.ng gathered that the 57year old (He turns 58 in December 2021) who left the banking world as Group Head, Public Sector at Stanbic IBTC is regarded as a future Governor of Ogun State.

Sources attribute this development to the brand of politics Ashiru who served as a two-term Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Ogun state (2011 – 2018, in the administrations of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun) is playing.

“He is not playing the kind of transactional politics he should, to make him popular with party men and career politicians” societynow.ng learned.

Societynow.ng gathered that the son of distinguished Ijebu statesman, Pa Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru and Princess Maradeun Ashiru is focused more on developmental politics that speaks to achievements he can lay claim in the bid for the number one seat in Ogun state.

Ashiru was a leading contender for the Ogun state gubernatorial seat in the last general election (2019) before fate gifted his party – All Progressives Congress (APC) – governorship ticket to incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun, who joined the contest in the dying hours.

Societynow.ng gathered that Ashiru’s focus on development politics worked for him to an extent in his last gubernatorial bid.

“ As a two-term commissioner of commerce and industry, he worked hard and had plenty to point to in amassing support” societynow.ng learned.

The checks by societynow.ng revealed that Ashiru who held positions of Director, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Social Investments and Country Director, Personal and Business Banking among other top spots in the banking sector deployed his wealth of experience – and contacts – to make a strong impact.

The tenure of the familiar face in the palace of the revered monarch with a big say in the affairs of Ogun state, Oba Sikiru Adetona – the Awujale of Ijebuland – is said to have massively aided over 1, 279.84% increase in internally generated Revenue, the establishment of 300 factories cum companies with a cumulative investment profile of about N691.77 Billion within three years of taking office, attracting 75% Manufacturing Foreign Direct Investment into Nigeria from 2011 to 2016 to Ogun state and the setting up of the One-Stop-Shop Investment Center (OSSIC) to ease doing business for potential investors in the areas of “ procedures for investment and documentation processing” among other major records.

Societynow.ng, however, gathered that paying less attention to the transactional side of politics is proving fatal for the former bank chief whose gubernatorial ambition is said to date as far back as when he was a youngster (Which is fans claim makes him come prepared with a blueprint on how to make the state prosper at any given chance).

The transactional side of politics is doing out patronage to all shades of people in the name of being supporters.

“Even when you know they don’t deserve it but you do it just to retain the numbers of supporters and the perception” socieynow.ng gathered.

Ashiru who holds a first degree in Marketing, Purchasing & Supply and a Masters’ Degree in Strategic Management is said to have adopted the stance of a professional in politics with more focus on getting things done and less attention on doling out patronage to the chagrin of those who think otherwise.

“As a commissioner, he was so committed to bringing this to bear that I doubt if he had a house in Abeokuta(Ogun State). He was constantly shuttling between the capital and his private residence in Lagos(State). Many of the people who wanted to milk didn’t get to see him and they didn’t like that and the implication of that is obvious and he is still contending with it despite his achievements in office” societynow.ng gathered.

The seat of power – and offices of all commissioners – is in the Ogun state capital, Abeokuta.

The digs by societynow.ng revealed that while the clinical minds applaud the political posture of the lovable husband of Olukemi – they have two children -, the realists insist his brand of politics will only make him the Governor of Ogun State in a “future when things are better”.

“You can’t become the Governor or win election into any other office without playing the transactional politics in the prevailing environment. But Ashiru’s brand is the way to go to create a better world for all it will really help in eradicating corruption by elected officials because it takes away the pressure to satify all and sundry at all cost” societynow.ng learned.

Societynow.ng gathered that though he has not made any confirmation, talks of gubernatorial ambition continue to decorate ex-banker friends address as “Bims”.

“Bims” currently represents Ogun State on the Board of Directors of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, the strategic investment and asset management firm owned by Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.