By Banji Ayoola
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, Mr Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke, has been widely commended for running the most decent issues based campaign among all the aspirants.
Ahead of the APC primary holding on Monday next week, and coming primaries of other opposition parties led by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to pick their flag-bearers in the October 10 governorship election, the political water in the state is already fouled up with abuses, attacks, name calling and other indecorous languages fit only for wild animals.
But among all, Kekemeke, pioneer APC State Chairman; pioneer PDP State Secretary; former Secretary to the State Government, SSG; ex-Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; former Commissioner for Works; former member of the State House of Assembly; and pioneer Chairman of the National Examination Council, NECO, is singled out for running “the most mature and focused campaign with emphasis on his objective and agenda for the prosperity and peace of Ondo State.”
APC State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Alex Kalejaiye, opened the floodgate of plaudits in a programme on the African Independent Television, AIT, saying: “Chief Kekemeke, in the last few weeks, has ran a very decent campaign across the State, and I just wish and hope that other aspirants will copy a lot from him”
Also, a top official of the State Government and loyalist of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Barrister Sola Ajisafe, recently wrote in a WhatsApp post that: “D. I. Kekemeke. . . . has conducted a most robust issue based and reasonable campaign to earn my respect and that of the party. We note it as he remains a strong pillar of our party …”
Also, Governor Akeredolu had identified this and pointed it out as far back as 2017 in the days of Kekemeke as the State chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Akure on 23rd February, 2017, the Governor said: “Apart from Governor Mimiko, my Chairman D. I. Kekemeke, is the most experienced politician in Ondo State.”
Also, another public commentator said of Kekemeke: “This is commendable. It is only those who have nothing meaningful to offer who resort to attacking others, calling others names, blackmail, violence and all the dirty tricks that are common with politicians, not only in our Country Nigeria, but in virtually all the so called democracies.
“A decent human being would never resort to such condemn-able acts for whatever reasons. I am happy that you choose to be different. And that is what attracts you to me! I wish you more strength.”
Reacting, Hon. Demola Ijabiyi, the Chairman of Strategic Mobilisation and Communication Committee of Lekeleke Movement, Kekemeke’s political vehicle, said that he was not surprised.
He asked: “Which of the aspirants can boast of this kind of intimidating credentials?”
Ijabiyi added: “You can see that he has brought his outstanding wealth of experience in Law, politics, administration and human relation to bear on his campaign method and style.”
His words: “Instructively, no other aspirant has better recommendations, specific objectives or defined agenda for the peace and prosperity of Ondo State than those of Kekemeke.
“He is definitely different and has stood out from the crowd. The APC can’t give the State a better candidate. When you are the best, you are simply the best. In this election, Kekemeke is it.”
Ijabiyi noted that Kekemeke, who also was once a distinguished member of the state House of Assembly, as the pioneer NECO chairman, led the body to national and international recognition.
He added that as attorney general and commissioner for justice in the State, he moved from the Justice Ministry to become the commissioner for works, lands, housing and transport.
