By Banji Ayoola
A former envoy, now senatorial aspirant, Ambassador Sola Iji, has promised to use his wide connections at the state, national and international levels, apart from the Senate, to attract development projects to Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State, from the NDDC, OSOPADEC and MDAs among others, if elected a Senator.
Besides, he hopes to, as a Senator, use his clout and experience as a former State Party Chairman for many years, to help rebuild the party in the District.
He spoke while unveiling his plans at a meeting he held with the chairmen of the six Local Government Areas of Ilaje, Ese Odo, Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo and Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo, which constitute the District.
These were contained in a statement on Tuesday by the Director General of the Ambassador Sola Iji Campaign Organisation, ASICO, Onibudo Wole Iroaye.
He said that all the chairmen were present, with the exception of that of Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo, who was said to be indisposed.
Iji, according to Iroaye, said: “If Justice is to be served, if equity is to be served, if fairness is to be served, it is un-debatable that it is the turn of Ese Odo to go for the Senate. Together we shall get there.”
Noting that the party chairmen fit properly into what he described as the revolution to elect him into the Senate, the ex-envoy said the chairmen are so important in getting the mandate of the people of the District.
To the Chairmen, Iji said: “I now formally inform you that I am interested in going to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Acknowledging the strategic role Local Government Party Chairmen play in deciding who represents the District in the Senate, he urged the chairmen to decide based on values rather than money or going for the highest bidder.
Iji’s words: “I challenge you as fathers and leaders of our party in your respective Local Government Areas, and as custodians of the finest values of our party, that the race for the Senate seat should not be about money or the highest bidder. It is about values.
“I therefore solicit your support to clinch the ticket of our party. We are going to win together and sustain the structure of the party.
“And when I get to the Senate, empowerment will be channeled through the Chairmen to members of the party. We are going to win together and govern together.
“I therefore sincerely value the support of the Party Chairmen. I am one of you. Therefore I am appealing to you to give me your full support.”
He told the party chairmen: “This meeting is a serious business and because of that, we must have confidence in you.
“I have invited you to confide in you about my aspiration. This meeting is important for many reasons.
“I have invited you for discussion as people who have the custody of the mandate of our people in the District, about my aspiration to the National Assembly to provide a leadership in the Senate that will usher in good development for our people in the District.”
He appreciated the party chairmen for coming to the meeting, noting that they occupy an important position in the administration of the party.
Iroaye also reported his principal as saying that he understands the position the chairmen hold and that was why he invited them to the meeting.
He said: “Ambassador Iji told them that in the hierarchy of the party, after the State Chairman, we have Local Government Party Chairmen; and below them, we have Ward Party Chairmen.
“He said that Local Government Party Chairmen are closest to the people at the grassroots and are therefore very important in the organisation of the party.
“As leaders of the party, we believe strongly that we should have a tete a tete with you in respect of this project.”
Iroaye said that in their collective reactions, the chairmen unanimously agreed that the Ambassador is eminently qualified for the position.
His words: “They said they believe that if he wins the election, all the party members in the District will enjoy.
“They also see him as a party man to the core unlike some other aspirantss who have come to them.
“They advised him to see all the leaders in the District and also the Leader of the state.
“They said that he is a grassroots politician who has led the party as State Chairman for seven years, and who has been building the party from the AD days until now the APC; and that he has not for once run away from the party despite challenges.
“They said that he deserves the ticket and his being in the Senate will alleviate the suffering of party members.
“They said that for somebody to be given an ambassadorial position, the Federal Government must have seen that person as responsible and a man of unquestionable integrity.
“They said that it is only his Local Government, Ese Odo, that has never had a taste of that position of Senator in the District, and therefore believed that the seat should be conceded to that place this time around.
“They see him as a man of experience, the most qualified to go for the position; and declared that people should not be allowed to reap where they did not sow.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Iroaye had appreciated the Chairmen for attending the meeting, which he described as significant in many respects.
According to him, the meeting would afford them the opportunity to “hear directly from His Excellency, the Ambassador, about his intent to contest the Southern Senatorial Election that will come up in 2023.”
Besides, he said that the forum would enable them learn from Iji directly the reasons behind his ambition.
The ASICO DG added: “Last but not least, this meeting would give us opportunity to know what party Chairmen can do individually and collectively to help us actualise this Divine Mandate.”
He said: “Going by the importance of the offices of party Chairmen, it, therefore, becomes imperative for our campaign organisation, ASICO, to collaborate effectively with our party Chairmen in order to achieve a phenomenal success as regards this project.”
Iroaye also pleaded with the Chairmen to feel free to make useful contributions “that would further put us on the path of progress, nay success in connection with this project.”
