By Banji Ayoola
Prince Maxwell Ademola Adelosoye has formally declared his intention to contest under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming election for the seat of Ondo West Constituency 2 in the Ondo State House of Assembly.
He made the declaration during the weekly meeting of the party at its Ondo City secretariat amid reported loud ovation by members.
Adelosoye made his declaration before leaders and elders of the party including the commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative Services, Deaconess ‘Lola Fagbemi; Chairman of the party in Ondo West, Hon Bernard Aro and his Organising Secretary, Obasco.
Other prominent leaders at the gathering include Chief Olabisi Johnson; Financial Secretary of APC in Ondo State, Elder Akinbohun; Gen Oyeneyin (rtd); serving member, House of representatives, Hon Abiola Makinde; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, HonWale Akinlosotu; and mother of the aspirant, Mrs. Adelosoye.
Youths numbering over 400 in their customized vests and fez-caps reportedly trooped to the streets to lead the aspirant to the gallery.
Adelosoye, in his short speech, regretted the untold hardship faced by people of his constituency saying he has volunteered himself to ameliorate their suffering.
He said that good road network and promotion of agriculture in his Constituency will top his priority agenda; while the youths and womenfolk will equally enjoy a lot of benefits.
The Bagbe-born prince who contested in 2015 but declined to challenge the outcome of that election in court, was optimistic that he now stands a tall chance to clinch the ticket in view of his antecedents and the overwhelming support from youths and women.
He promised to abide by the outcome of the primary election as he counted on the party’s wise decision.
Speaking to reporters later in an interview, Adelosoye said: “The event was iconic for me, bringing a nostalgic feeling of how it was four years ago, fueled by my passion for my people. I officially declared my intention to represent the good people of Ondo West Constituency II in the Ondo State House of Assembly under the platform of our great party, All Progressive Congress (APC) in the forthcoming election.
“As a local boy who has lived among the people for over three decades, I have a practical experience of our problems and also the workable solutions to ameliorate the burdens of my people. I have traversed the length and breadth of the constituency with our plans and we have again received enormous backing from the leaders and the people alike.
“In the last election, despite the “collabo”, our people were relentless and still voted massively for us across the constituency and officially I polled the second highest votes.
“This I believe might not be unconnected to my candour, pedigree and their trust in my capacity to deliver meaningful dividends of democracy to the people.
“As a gentleman with huge respect for constituted authorities and relevant stakeholders, I heeded the advice not to sue for a redress in the law court.
“Despite calls in some quarters that I would be called to settle out of court and given part of the money we spent on the campaigns or rewarded with a juicy appointment, I responded by saying “my decision to contest was not motivated by money but the desire to give effective representation to my people of Ondo West Constituency 2 who has been bedeviled by under-representation in the last few decades.”
He said: “With the people’s request, I am back on the field as they yet passionately plead for a leader who is one of them.
“I would like to appreciate the people’s Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for his immense leadership, especially his decision to allow the youths in Ondo State to thrive.
“Also, I would mention the support from the leaders in Ondo West who have appreciated my contributions to the party.
“Like I said during the declaration yesterday and will like to reiterate again, the party’s decision in this race is supreme.
All power belongs to God and only He is the Almighty.”
