By Banji Ayoola
Nigeria’s ex-envoy, Ambassador Sola Iji’s aspiration to represent the Ondo South Senatorial District in the Senate, has received a boost, as delegates and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ilaje Local Government, have declared their support for him.
A statement by the Director General of Ambassador Sola Iji Campaign Organisation, ASICO, Onibudo ‘Wole Iroaye, said that: “This milestone was recorded during a meeting the former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Togo and Ondo South Senatorial Seat aspirant held with Local Government EXCO members, Ward Chairmen, Ward Secretaries and other notable leaders of APC in Ilaje Local Government.”
He said that Iji, who he described as “topmost contender for Ondo South Senatorial Seat,” explained to the gathering why he deserves to be the next Senator representing the district in the red chamber of the National Assembly.
According to the statement, the former envoy said: “l appreciate you for honoring me with your presence. This is my home, my Federal Constituency. I am close to Ilaje people. I held meetings with you to resolve certain crisis in the past.
“Today, l am here to inform you that l am aspiring for the senatorial ticket of our party. We belong to the same Federal Constituency.
“Ilaje has gone to the Senate before. Ese-Odo has not done it. I am glad Ilaje is not in the race. I want to plead with you to give me your support. Others in the District have done it. Only Ese-Odo has not done it.
For now, l am the only person contesting for Senate from Ese-Odo. I think that it is only equitable to give it to a local government that has not done it. We need to examine the Justice, equity and fairness behind it.
“I have built the party from AD to AC to ACN. I am asking you to consider it that this is the time of Ese-Odo. Therefore, support us. I have developed the Party. During my time, there was no Governor. But now, we have a governor because of the effort we put in place.
“This is the time we are going to have one of us as the candidate of the party for Senate. Vote for that person that you know. I am that person that you know. I will give you a good representation. You cannot give what you don’t have. I have the legal capacity and capability. It will be a good advantage to send someone who had served as an ambassador to represent our people.”
The statement added: “In his opening remarks, Sola Iji greeted all members of the party that came to receive him and his entourage. He thanked them for honoring the invitation despite its short notice and apologized for coming behind schedule.”
It said that while reacting, a former OSOPADEC Commissioner, Hon Oluyide Mekuleyi, greeted and thanked Iji for coming to see them in respect of his ambition.
According to him: “Sola Iji has been our leader for long. I worked closely with him in the past. He is not a stranger. We are happy that you are contesting. Only people who are strong-willed can contest. It is true that Ese-Odo has not done it. The Lord will take you there.”
Also, a notable leader of the Party, High Chief Enikanologbon said: ‘lf God does not support, nobody can succeed. Apoi and Ilaje are friends. We have been together for long. Ambassador has done well in the Party. This is God’s time. The time to support you has come. We need somebody who can perform. As a lawyer, you will do well and we will support you because the primary is very important.”
On his part, the Local Government Party Chairman, Hon Raphael Adeboye, apologised for coming late to the meeting.
He explained that he was at the INEC Office to represent the interest of the Party, adding that Iji is “known as Ondo State Chairman of AD, AC & ACN.”
He further said in Yoruba; lrun ne ki i idi meji, ki inu bi ne.
He, however, appealed to all delegates to support lji and they promised to support him.
In his own speech, lroaye described his Principal as a “Comrade, notable politician and well known leader in the party who has been tested and found to be trusted.”
Iroaye said that “Ambassador is a father to many in the party; a former State Chairman of AD, AC & ACN for seven years.”
He added that: “Ambassador is a lawyer whose experience in arbitration and labour law is a force to reckon with. ”
The meeting came to an end with the grace said in unison.
