By Banji Ayoola
A former envoy and leading Ondo South Senatorial District aspirant, Ambassador Sola Iji, has said that in the spirit of justice, equity and fairness, he should be given the ticket of his party in the forthcoming elections to represent the district in the red chamber of the National Assembly.
Speaking at a meeting with the councilors of Ilaje Local Government as part of his ongoing mobilisation drive in support of his bid, he said that he deserves the ticket since the essence of government is the promotion of justice, equity and fairness and since his home Ese Odo Local Government is the only one out of the six Local Government Areas in the District which has not represented the District in the Senate.
According to a statement by the Director General of the Ambassador Sola Iji Campaign Organisation (ASICO.), Onibudo ‘Wole Iroaye, Iji said: “The essence of government is to promote justice, equity and fairness. Other Local Governments have gone. The truth of the matter is that, Ese-Odo should go. It does not promote equity to do otherwise.”
The statement which described the former envoy as “the most formidable of all aspirants jostling for the Ondo South Senatorial Ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” quoted Iji saying: “I am aspiring at a time that my Local Government is entitled to it.
“I have the qualifications that l can showcase. As an ambassador who had represented the President in another country, l think l can adequately do that at the Senate.
“The Governor has done well by planning a Port, Port Ondo, in the Federal Constituency. He talked about Araromi- Lekki Road. It is one of those things that l can do through networking with my Colleagues. During my tenure, l will give effective representation.”
Iji, who, incidentally is from the same Federal Constituency with the lawmakers, explained to them why they should support his aspiration, saying: “Ese- Odo and Ilaje are in the same Federal constituency. Ilaje has gone to the Senate back to back, Ese-Odo has not gone.
“Today, nobody is contesting in Ilaje. I am the only one in the race in Ese-Odo. Even in the entire Southern Senatorial District, only Ese-Odo has not gone to the Senate.
“The essence of government is to promote justice, equity and fairness. Other Local Governments have gone. The truth of the matter is that, Ese-Odo should go. It does not promote equity to do otherwise.
“I am aspiring at a time that my Local Government is entitled to it.
“I have the qualifications that l can showcase. As an ambassador who had represented the President in another country, l think l can adequately do that at the senate.
“The Governor has done well by planning a Port, Port Ondo, in the Federal Constituency. He talked about Araromi- Lekki Road. It is one of those things that l can do through networking with my Colleagues. During my tenure, l will give effective representation.”
The statement added that Iji, who was a former gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the APC in the State, thanked the lawmakers for giving him and his entourage a rousing welcome.
He said: “’l thank you very sincerely for coming out to give us a rousing welcome. My coming here is to seek your support for the Senate.
“The truth of the matter is that, we are coming here to seek your support to represent the South Senatorial District at the Senate. I was State Chairman of the Party since when we were in opposition. Now, we have a government in place.”
Reacting, the Leader of Council, Hon Bosede Zachariah, thanked Iji for paying a visit to them at the Chamber of the Council, saying it was a big honour done them by the ambassador.
She said: “Women are now given the opportunity to be in politics. Welfare for women and welfare for youths must be done, Sir.
“The next Senator must come from Ese-Odo Local Government. Ese-Odo has not gone to the Senate. It is, therefore, the turn of Ese-Odo to go to the Senate. Those of us from Ilaje cannot afford to lose the Senate. It must come from Ese-Odo Local Government. We must pick the right candidate. O ba ni ko ba je.
“Politics is beyond one’s personal opinion. We will listen to our leaders and be closer to you than this. This time, we will not make any mistake.”
Also, the Councilor representing Ugbo Ward IV, Hon Abiodun Akinmuyiwa, who said that he was happy to be part of the meeting and that he had known the former envoy for long, assured 100 percent support for Iji’s bid.
His words: “He has been with us for long. On behalf of the Councilors of Constituency 1, we are giving our 100% support to ambassador. He can talk to people because of his experience in the party.
“On the whole, l want to talk to all the constituency 1 Councilors to support Ambassador Iji. He will give us good representation if we give him our maximum support.”
Also, the Councilor representing Aheri Ward, Hon Minary Johnson, who said he married from the Iji Family, also attested to Iji’s experience and promised to support him.
He said: “ l see good representation in you, Sir. You have the good will to represent your people. Your representation will give us the dividends of democracy. We know you very well as a man. You understand our agony.
“Please, call each of us to talk to; we are ready to give you our support if the relationship is cemented. We also want to have personal relationship with you, Sir.”
Earlier, while introducing his principal, Iroaye described Iji as “a man with the crown of honour who had served the party diligently in the past.”
He said: “Ambassador Sola lji is a labour Leader of great importance to the party. He is a modest politician who can be accessed anytime; a man who has held many key positions in the party; a thorough bred lawyer who has the capacity and capability to defend the cause of the good people of Ondo South Senatorial District at the Senate.”
