The aspiration of Engr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe has received a boost as entire Tegbe family in Jegede compound, Oke Labo, Ibadan have pledged their unwavering support to his governorship aspiration.
Tegbe, a partner at KPMG and the chairman of a federal board- Centre for Management Development, CMD, is one of the chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, running to succeed outgoing governor Abiola Ajimobi.
A statement signed by some of his kinsmen, a copy of which was made available to www.oyoinsight, dismissed as untrue the rumour that he is a non-indigene Of Ibadan.
APC Chairman in ward 5 area of Ibadan South East local government, which is Tegbe’s homestead, Mr Afeez Akintola debunked the insinuation that Tegbe is a non indigene who is leveraging on his popularity within the corridors of power to get APC party governorship ticket.
Kayode, who expressed dismay with the level of desperation of some people he referred to as “political roughnecks, whose stock in trade is putting a tar on the reputation of their kinsman just to score a cheap political goal,” said further “It’s time we disinfect politics of this morally tepid people who never construct but destruct,” adding that “Joseph Tegbe is a man the entire family is proud of for his nobility of character and deep commitment to promotion of happiness of the family members. We have all keyed into his aspiration and our support is total.”
He maintained that like every individual, Tegbe is a social product who is inseparable from his root.
“Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe is a bona-fide son of Chief Tegbe, a consummate merchant whose business enterprise extended to all major towns in Yorubaland. He was well respected and loved by all and sundry at his Tegbe compound, Jegede, Labo in Ibadan South East local government. They have their village in Akinyode village of Ona Ara local government,” the statement added.
He, therefore, expressed utter disbelief why a man that has a noble ancestral descent that is traceable in Ibadan with shared community value to root and a village that is not shrouded in secrecy should be doubted, if not by people with sinister political motive.
While talking of why the campaign banner of Tegbe was hung in a story building beside a house referred to as his father’s house, Akintola affirmed that Tegbe family occupies a vast compound where the members live In harmony without any discrimination whatsoever, adding that the house where they display the campaign banner made by the youths in the family as a mark of home support, belongs to Chief Olayiwola Tegbe, (Tegbe’s uncle) where he stayed most of the time as a youth.
An elderly woman, who is simply referred to as Iya Ologi, was said to have elucidated on why the family name is Tegbe. “The full version of the name is “Omo to egbe leyin mi” which literally translates to a child is enough as my bulwark of support.”
The old woman stressed that “In Yoruba cosmology, a name given to a child is often conditioned by the situation surrounding his or her birth..”
Apparently, the entire family now loosely prefer to refer toTegbe in their conversation as “the Governor.”
On this development, the ward 5 APC councillor, Akintola explained that “we believe in God that with his wealth of experience and deep seated vision to turn around the fortunes of our dear state, Dr Olasunkanmi Tegbe will be the next governor, hence, we are already addressing him as one since voice of the people is the voice of God.”
