Adesoji Johnson
Political activities are gearing up in Ondo State ahead of the November governorship election where the people of the state will be filing out to choose the man to steer the ship of the state for the next four years after the end of the tenure of the current administration in 2025. It is a critical period for the people of the state as they will be seeking to elect at the polls, a man who has their interest at heart and the required credentials to turn around the fortune of the state. Of all the aspirants that have thrown their hats in the ring, Dr Olamide Ohunyeye, no doubt, has distinguished himself as the man Ondo State needs at this critical time to reposition her for greatness.
Dr Ohunyeye, a retired military general, has presented himelf as a welfarist driven by the passion to turn around the living condition of the people of the state. This he exhibited during his tour of the 18 local governments in the state while seeking the support of party stakeholders ahead of the All Progressive Congress primary on April 20. His main message to party men and women was his commitment to addressing the immediate needs of the people in the nooks and crannies of the state for improvement in standard of living. The essence of democracy is not to line up for elections only but to make sure it makes life comfortable for the people. It is this principle that guides the ambition of Dr Ohunyeye which made him to emphatically reiterate that his mission was to return power to the people. By returning power to the people is to place them in a position of strength through poverty alleviation, wealth creation, qualitative education and mass orientation.
Many politicians had decieved the electorate with bogus promises in the past but the genuiness of Dr Ohunyeye cannot be faulted having been a philanthropist within his modest income since his days in the military. Like the saying that “charity begins at home”, his impact in his hometown, Ilutitun, endeared him to his people who honoured him with a grand civic reception shortly after his retirement from the military.
His scientific approach to issues is one of his areas of strength that put him ahead of his peers. During his consultation visit to the council areas, he identified the challenges and solutions perculiar to each of the localities. A practical display of understanding of issues for solutions. It is one thing to identify challenges and it is another to have the required and workable solutions. Dr Ohunyeye has demonstrated the capacity to identify and apply appropriate solutions through understanding of both historic and contemporary dimensions to different issues.
His new AGE agenda which represents “Absolute Security, Good Governance and Empowerment, Poverty Alleviation and other indices” shows his preparedness and holistic approach to governance. He has laid emphasis on the practical approaches he will take in repositioning the state which include revamping of moribund industries as well as creating new ones, investments in Agriculture, infrastructure, education, health, security and other indices of development.
His track record as a financial expert, human resource manager and security expert in the military presents him as a man adequately equipped to deliver on the job he is about to be given by the people. No doubt, his military background coupled with his numerous professional certifications position him as the right man the state needs at the moment. It is not surprising that he has developed a solid blueprint to secure the state through kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
It is instructive to note that Dr Ohunyeye came with a unique political ideology which is a total departure from the retrogressive politics played by most of Nigerian politicians. His insistence to play by the book shows him as a man of principle, integrity and respectfor the rule of law. During his visit to the local government areas in the state, he stated that he would not be buying their conscience with money but would rather ensure that he delivered on the promises he made to them. With this act, he has portrayed himself as a different breed from the numerous “cash and carry” politicians with their current dominance of our political circle.
Excitedly, his clearance to contest the governorship seat by the APC screening committee has created the path to his victory at the primary and subsequent gubernatorial election come November. He has been able to endear himself to the party faithful across the local government areas in the state which culminated in his endorsement across board. His pledge to make the welfare of party members a priority shows his committment to raising the living standard of party men and women. He is a party man to the core.
No iota of doubt in the capacity and willingness of Dr Ohunyeye to reposition the state and return power to the people. He remains the only untainted aspirant among the lots without controversies who stands to be and embodiment of unity not only in the APC family but also the entire people of Ondo State.
It is with deep sense of responsibility to the state that party members will secure the sole nomination ticket of the APC for Dr Ohunyeye, a man with integrity, charisma, capacity, democratic culture, genuine love for the people and vision come Saturday, 20th of April 2024.
