Ondo 2024:Why We Rally Support For Olusola Oke- Stakeholders

Ondo political stakeholders under the aegis of ‘Platform for the Moment of Truth’, has thrown its weight behind Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, one of the governorship aspirants vying for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress in the April 20 primary as the most qualified of all.

Speaking on behalf of the group at a news conference in Lagos at the weekend, the convener, Mr Benson Enikuomehin, said Chief Oke stands tall among all the aspirants.

Enikuomehin, who maintained that the position of a chief executive of a state is too important to be handed over to a greenhorn with the vast economic potential in the southern senatorial zone waiting to be tapped.

He, however, said that unlike other governorship aspirants with baggage, Chief Oke has been tested and trusted through his activities in the OMPADEC, NDDC, and other platforms where he represented the state.

Enikuomehin said it was to the credit of Chief Oke that nearly all the schools that were destroyed in 1998 during Ilaje and Ijaw crisis in Ondo State were rebuilt.

Corroborating Enikuomehin, Kayode Mogbojuri, a legal practitioner, said the group is contrained to speak out now because of the controversies surrounding the certificate of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Speaking further, Magbojuri explained that the electoral victory of David Lyon was upturned in Bayelsa on the eve of swearing- in because of the controversies around his running mate’s profile.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa said he sat for GCE O/L in May/June 1982 at Ikosi High School, Ketu, Lagos. And we all know that GCE external examination is conducted in November/December. My findings also indicated that GCE O/L in 1982 in Lagos and elsewhere where I fact checked was conducted in November/December and not May/ June as claimed by the Governor.

“The People’s Democratic Party is just waiting for the APC to field Aiyedatiwa and attach the same results so that they will sue him and nullify his election even if he wins,” he added.

Enikuomehin added that Chief Oke, who had undergone former Governor Olusegun Agagu school of politics and governance, is also versed in President Bola Tinubu political leadership to leverage on the vast economic potential in the state.

“We have Bitumen; the second largest deposit in the world after Canada in Agbabu. The oil exploration that gave us the status of number five in the oil producing states in Nigeria is from the zone. We have the largest coastline in Nigeria which is about 80 kilometres from Araromi. From Araromi to Akodo in Ibeju-Lekki local government of Lagos State is just 51 kilometres. All these potentials need experienced and seasoned administrator to explore for the greater number of our people. Who shall we send?” It’s Chief Alexander Olusola Oke.”

According to him, what is at stake is bigger than allowing it to slip through unprepredness and an ambition of one man.Quoting from section 182 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended in 2023, Enikuomehin said it will be antithetical if Aiyedatiwa is allowed to represent the southern zone , knowing full well that he’ll only spend a term as a governor.

” We have had Dr Olusegun Mimiko from the central zone who spent eight years closely followed by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from the northen zone who spent close to seven years before his untimely death. We will be shortchanged if our candidate from the southern zone will only be there for a term of four years,” he said.

The convener also explained that of all the three candidates who contested from the three zones in 2012, it’s only Chief Olusola Alexander Oke that is yet to govern the state, adding that both Mimiko and Akeredolu having taken their turns, it’s only fair for Chief Oke to be given the ticket.

On the fate of other aspirants from the southern zone, Enikuomehin said the Ilajes are appealing to others to support Chief Oke.

He said; ” Dr Jimoh Ibrahim is very articulate, but we are pleading with him to support Chief Oke. He is the senator representing the zone and was voted for four years. It’s only fair that he does not abandon the people and jumping into the governorship train. Otherwise, he may as well vie for presidency if the seat becomes vacant tomorrow. Besides, we supported his kinsman, Dr Olusegun Agagu.”

Enikuomehin also pleaded with Jimi Odimayo, a member of the House of Representatives not to abandon those who chose him to represent them at the green chamber.

To former commissioner for finance, Wale Akinterinwa who hails from Ile-Oluji in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo local government and Hon Mayowa Akinfolarin from Odigbo local government, Enikuomehin urged them to support Oke.

Other members of the group at the media parley include Mr Eniola Ayenuberu, Lade Ebiwanon and Primate Laizer Olowolade.