As we are getting close to the 25th of February 2023 date of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, events are unfolding and things are getting clearer. The country is at a point of taking a critical national decision and several nations and zones within the federation are striking accords and alliances in line with what they believe is the best route for them in the journey towards attaining opportunities and political power. The Oke-Ogun people of the Oyo North Senatorial District of Oyo State, are clear and loud in their choice of candidate in the presidential election, as well as all other contests in the general election.
Leaders and stakeholders covering all the ten Local Government Areas that make up the zone and their allies across the state, have come to an agreement in unanimity that in the interest of balance, national unity, justice, equity and fairness, power, having domiciled in the North for 8 years of All Progressives’ Congress (APC)’s holding sway, should shift to Southern Nigeria. That said, Oke-Ogun people, apart from considering it a timely necessity, have succinctly identified the presidency of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the momentary light after the tunnel, for a region that has been so subjugated, deprived and neglected. Everyone believes that the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will reposition Oke-Ogun in good light and his leadership will be transformative enough in the development of the region as well as driving prosperity to the people, which is the yarning of every Oke-Ogun person. Oke-Ogun voice would be heard.
This rainbow optimism is drawn from the olive branch already extended to the Oke-Ogun people by Asiwaju considering the number of reputable sons and daughters of the zone appointed into his campaign council and several strategic roles within the party and campaign structures. All three Oyo former Deputy Governors of Oke-Ogun extraction, HE Iyiola Oladokun, HE Moses Alake Adeyemo and HE Rauf Olaniyan are all deeply committed to the RENEWED HOPE project. Also is the notable efforts of the former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Professor Adeolu Akande and other leaders and stakeholders at various levels too numerous to mention.
APC rallies staged at the three Federal Constituencies in Oke-Ogun were a confirmation of the deep affection of the people of the zone for Tinubu. The impact of the mobilization of the electorates is solidly felt all across the Local Governments, party members trooped out massively in Saki, Igboho and Iseyin, with the Tinubu message everywhere laden with funfair, carnival, drums and trumpets. Traditional rulers are clear on their position. Nobody is more development-hungry than the royal fathers and they have shown direction to their subjects, on the path to follow in other to attain development and transformation of the zone. The euphoria in Igboho was cult-like. Residents were unable to hide their happiness, as they trooped out in their thousands to give a heroic welcome to their son, the Oyo State Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (TSGICC) and the former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan. There was loud fragrance of vindication everywhere. People called in on radio to announce their readiness and willingness to deliver the RENEWED HOPE project with massive votes for Tinubu. The rally provided a good opportunity for the people of Irepo Local Government to emphatically announce their rejection of the insane proposal to establish a dumpsite of mad people at their Local Government, a proposal they concluded must have been driven by executive rascality. They added that governance is too complicated and sensitive for experimentation as experienced in the state today, they concluded that, with Folarin’s experience and political exposure, hope is not lost for the state.
At Iseyin, where the toddlers thought they have a stronghold, the message was succinct and clear. The people of Oke-Ogun said that the zone is not in need of childish, political amateurs who masquerade selfish adventure as a liberation movement. They went further to say that Fatai Buhari, is able, capable, tested and trusted. The massive and long convoy of vehicular and human movements at all the locations of the rallies, as well as the people’s expression of hope and optimism was evident that the people of Oke-Ogun have reached a resolution to go with Tinubu, as his leadership and extension of hand of friendship to Oke-Ogun is a precursor and a pointer to a beautiful political season for the zone in no distant time.
We can only wish our leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the very best in the polls and total victory to our great party, the APC.
God bless Nigeria!
Adesola Yaqub (TASOOLO), a former Caretaker Chairman of Oorelope Local Government and member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) can be reached via sholayaq@gmail.com*
