By Rahman Balogun
A honour to whom is due has become an integral part of politicking in the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) idiosyncrasy. This honour usually is not run on cash and carry basis, but earned through experience and years of committed actions to party ideals. It, therefore, did not come stupefying to see the leading aspirant in the race for the Alagbaka Government House, Akure, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN) just asked to take a bow by the Screening Committee constituted by Party’s leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Blantyre National Secretariat, Wuse 2, Abuja today.
It is an open and shut fact that Chief Oke (SAN) no doubt comes with lots of experience, first, as a former member of House of Representatives of the aborted 3rd Republic; and again, having contested, two times as a candidate and one time as an aspirant for the seat of Ondo State’s numero uno. It is only honourable for the party to accord him the necessary respect. This, the party – APC, graciously did!
It is soul-soothing to see the self-effacing, unassuming, blunt and grassroots political icon cum legal juggernaut beam with all smiles as he exchanged pleasantries with party stalwarts after he was cleared to contest the forthcoming gubernatorial primaries slated for Saturday, April 20, 2024. The calm, reticent, and genteelly mannered ‘Ìlúfémilóyè’ (people’s choice) as he’s fondly referred in several quarters appears very ready for the exercise. ‘The coast is clear. Victory is assured come next Saturday.’ He may have mustered to himself.
In a rather dramatic turnout, it is not only laughable, but also utterly ridiculous to hear the incumbent Governor Aiyédatiwa, who is equally an aspirant in the race to grandstand and pontificate that there was no vacancy at the Government House. Of course, it is only commonsensical to know that Ondo State Government House as of today is occupied till February 2025 when a new leadership under the veteran, the man whose ideas resonate with the electorates, and whose political philosophy revolves round welfarist credo like the Awos, the Ajasins and the Bola Iges of this world, Chief Olusola Alexandre OKE (SAN). While such statement from the Governor is condescending and belittling of his status and office on those who will vote at the primaries, it still does not take away the fact that party members decide who flies the party’s tickets at every given poll.
The countdown has just begun with the clearance from the party secretariat. The most preferred choice of the party is not losing any sleep over the poll. He has the backing of most party faithful, especially from his Senatorial Zone who would naturally prefer a man that can give them 8 years of developmental governance to a man with 5 years of little or no impact. Chief Oke (SAN) on his part believes, very strongly, in the spirit of sportsmanship in politics. He has dotted all the Is and crossed all the ts sine qua non to be crossed. The people can not wait to carry him shoulder high come Sunday, April 21. And we believe by His grace, his victory at the primaries is assured.*Ondo APC Guber Screening: A Bow For A Smooth Entrance.*
By Rahman Balogun
A honour to whom is due has become an integral part of politicking in the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) idiosyncrasy. This honour usually is not run on cash and carry basis, but earned through experience and years of committed actions to party ideals. It, therefore, did not come stupefying to see the leading aspirant in the race for the Alagbaka Government House, Akure, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN) just asked to take a bow by the Screening Committee constituted by Party’s leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Blantyre National Secretariat, Wuse 2, Abuja today.
It is an open and shut fact that Chief Oke (SAN) no doubt comes with lots of experience, first, as a former member of House of Representatives of the aborted 3rd Republic; and again, having contested, two times as a candidate and one time as an aspirant for the seat of Ondo State’s numero uno. It is only honourable for the party to accord him the necessary respect. This, the party – APC, graciously did!
It is soul-soothing to see the self-effacing, unassuming, blunt and grassroots political icon cum legal juggernaut beam with all smiles as he exchanged pleasantries with party stalwarts after he was cleared to contest the forthcoming gubernatorial primaries slated for Saturday, April 20, 2024. The calm, reticent, and genteelly mannered ‘Ìlúfémilóyè’ (people’s choice) as he’s fondly referred in several quarters appears very ready for the exercise. ‘The coast is clear. Victory is assured come next Saturday.’ He may have mustered to himself.
In a rather dramatic turnout, it is not only laughable, but also utterly ridiculous to hear the incumbent Governor Aiyédatiwa, who is equally an aspirant in the race to grandstand and pontificate that there was no vacancy at the Government House. Of course, it is only commonsensical to know that Ondo State Government House as of today is occupied till February 2025 when a new leadership under the veteran, the man whose ideas resonate with the electorates, and whose political philosophy revolves round welfarist credo like the Awos, the Ajasins and the Bola Iges of this world, Chief Olusola Alexandre OKE (SAN). While such statement from the Governor is condescending and belittling of his status and office on those who will vote at the primaries, it still does not take away the fact that party members decide who flies the party’s tickets at every given poll.
The countdown has just begun with the clearance from the party secretariat. The most preferred choice of the party is not losing any sleep over the poll. He has the backing of most party faithful, especially from his Senatorial Zone who would naturally prefer a man that can give them 8 years of developmental governance to a man with 5 years of little or no impact. Chief Oke (SAN) on his part believes, very strongly, in the spirit of sportsmanship in politics. He has dotted all the Is and crossed all the ts sine qua non to be crossed. The people can not wait to carry him shoulder high come Sunday, April 21. And we believe by His grace, his victory at the primaries is assured.
Peoplesmind
