Where is Jimoh Ibrahim?
Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman and CEO, Energy Group, needs no introduction.
In the eyes of some , the Ondo State-born billionaire, for want of a better description, is controversial.
He is also known to possess a bagful of tricks that has left many in wonderment.
In 2017, he showed unimaginable desperation to clinch the number one job of the state, as he dished out different antics on a daily basis.
His ambition nearly marred the peace of the state after he obtained the Peoples Democratic Party nomination form from the then factional National Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, even though the faction was not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The gambit continued when the primary was held. Before then, the primary of the recognised faction led by Makarfi had held in Akure and Eyitayo Jegede,a lawyer, had emerged as the party’s standard-bearer.
But as someone who loves to live in fool’s paradise, he went along with other aggrieved members of the party to organise another primary in Ibadan, Oyo State in an election that produced the businessman as its own standardbearer.
That was not the first time he had attempted to govern the state. It will be recalled that he contested for the Ondo State gubernatorial seat during the 2003 election under the platform of All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP). But he has always live in fool’s paradise,
He was said to have budgeted about N5 billion to pursue the ambition, which saw him drop by the side when the real players started surfacing at the election which was eventually won by Dr. Olusegun Agagu.
He took a break from politics and did not contest the 2007 election, strategizing and looking for an ailing party he would highjack.
The opportunity presented itself after Agagu was booted out, leaving his party, the PDP, in a state where they needed revival.
He quickly switched allegiance to the party with the belief that the federal might of the party would present him a better chance of achieving his long-term ambition.
He spent so much money on the party but the people of the state were not comfortable with him. He was forced to run away with his tail between his legs.
Since the election in 2017, the businessman has once recoiled into his cocoon while he is hardly seen at events or functions.