Reasons why a former envoy, Ambassador Sola Iji, should be elected as Senator in the forthcoming 2023 elections to represent Ondo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, have been canvassed by his campaign organisation.
A statement on Friday by the Director General, Ambassador Sola Iji Campaign Organisation (ASICO,) Onibudo ‘Wole Iroaye, said: “Research has shown that of all the six Local Governments including Ilaje, Ese Odo, Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo and Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo, which constitute the Ondo South Senatorial District, only Ese Odo has not represented the District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria since the return of democratic rule in 1999 and even before then; whereas the others have gone either once, twice or more.
“For instance, Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo has produced the Senator for the District twice in the persons of former Senator Biyi Adekeye and the incumbent Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, who is still aspiring to represent the District in the Senate for the second time; Odigbo has produced once through Senator Omololu Meroyi; Okitipupa has produced three Senators including former Senator Jonathan Olayeye, ex-Senator Michael Atijosan Onunkun and former Senator Boluwaji Kunlere; Ode Irele, which, like Okitipupa, is part of Ikale, has produced one Senator in the person of former Senator Yele Omogunwa – (This implies that altogether, Ikale has produced four Senators); and Ilaje Local Government, which is a neighbour to Ese Odo Local Government, has been in the Senate for eight years through Senator Hosea Ehinlanwo of blessed memory.
“However, Ese Odo Local Government, which is also an essential part of Ondo South Senatorial District, has never had the taste of the Senate since 1999 and even before then. This is contrary to the spirit and letters of the Constitution of our Great Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“According to Section 1(1V) of Article 20 of the APC Constitution, which is on “Elections and Nominations,” and titled “Party Elections:” “Without prejudice to other provisions of this Article, the National Working Committee shall, subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, make Rules and Regulations for the conduct of Party primaries in accordance with the extant Electoral Act (as amended). All such Rules, Regulations and Guidelines shall take into consideration and uphold the principle of Federal Character, gender balance, geo-political spread and rotation of offices, to as much as possible ensure balance within the constituency covered.”
“Besides, His Excellency, the reverent President Muhammadu Buhari, at the just concluded National Convention of our Great Party in Abuja, advised and cautioned the Party new leadership, led by the highly respected Senator Abdullahi Adamu, to guide against unnecessary bickering in the selection of candidates for the forthcoming 2023 Elections. Besides, he warned against the menace of money politics, stressing the need for the entrenchment of internal democracy in the Party.
“Specifically, Mr President in his wisdom, advised the Party new leadership that in choosing candidates of the Party in all the forthcoming Elections, the worthiness of such candidates must be considered above moneybags. That is, candidates of the Party who emerge at whatever level, must be worthy members of the Party, but not a moneybags. Besides, such candidates must have good records of performance in the Party, which must be clear to everyone.
“In other words, Mr President is saying that monetary consideration must not be the issue. Rather, the issues are: Who is this person in the Party? What has he done in the past to justify his being given the ticket of the Party? What are his contributions? What selfless services has he rendered to the Party? Has he been a loyal Party man? Has he suffered for the Party? Has he been a stable member of the Party? What key roles has he played in the growth and development of the Party? These are the questions, which must be answered, and which His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, is indirectly asking.
“It, therefore, goes without saying from the above analyses, and it is patently true that Ese Odo remains the only Local Government in Ondo South Senatorial District, which has not been given the opportunity to serve in the Senate. Therefore, this time around, it is incumbent on the entire people of Ondo South Senatorial District to ensure that the District’s Senatorial Ticket is conceded to Ese Odo Local Government.
“Having regard to the foregoing, I, therefore, say without mincing words, and without exaggeration too, that it is truly the turn of Ese Odo Local Government to produce the next Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.”
Besides, analysts say that the people of the District need now as their Leader at this highest level of lawmaking in the country a man of an elephantine political weight with the right and fruitful connections to exploit largely to their benefit, experiences, passion, selflessness, integrity, honesty of purpose, vision and dedication to fighting genuinely and maturely for the welfare of the people of Ondo South Senatorial District.
They say that this is where His Excellency Ambassador Sola Iji comes into focus.
From verifiable records, apart from being an erudite lawyer, Iji who also parades other significant qualifications and experiences that transcend law and politics, possess brilliant qualifications which make him tower over other aspirants not only Ondo South Senatorial District, but also in Ondo State. In fact, with his intimidating credentials and exceptionally brilliant records of performance in all the public offices he has held so far at the state, national and international levels, this rare blessing to the people remains the man to beat in the forthcoming senatorial race.
As an ambassador, an envoy, with the same status as a Head of State, Prime Minister or President of a Country addressed and respected statewide, nationwide and worldwide as “His” or “Your Excellency”, a designation reserved only for Governors of states, Presidents, Prime Ministers or Heads of State of Countries, His Excellency Ambassador Joseph Olusola Iji undoubtedly stands tallest among not only the aspirants to the seat of Ondo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, but also among all Senatorial or whatever aspirants in the three districts of Ondo State and in all Senatorial districts across Nigeria.
By virtue of this highest office as Nigeria’s Ambassador representing Nigeria in another country, he has the widest connections among all the aspirants into this exalted seat demanding a large heart, an utmost seriousness, responsibility, unselfishness, and reliance.
As it is, His Excellency Ambassador Iji has the most intimate relationship with those in authorities not only in Ondo State, but more importantly also at the national and international levels.
Combined with the various political and administrative offices where he has served meritoriously for over 30 years in this country, he knows the game of getting the legitimate entitlements of the people he leads from whatever quarters at the state, national and even international levels. He knows the legitimate buttons to press and the relevant authorities and holders of offices at the state, national and international levels to contact productively in fighting maturely successfully for the legitimate rights and entitlements of the people he leads.
Remarkably he has worked intimately with most of these office holders who are sitting at the helm of affairs calling the shots today in high places of our country’s political, administrative and corporate governance. Most of them he knows and relates with on first name basis with whom he wines and dines as friends.
A man with varied political and administrative experiences of over three decades, high connections cutting across Ondo State, all other states of the Federation, federal agencies, the Federal Government, the political and decision making circles across the country, His Excellency Ambassador Sola Iji stands on top as the helper the people of Ondo South Senatorial District need now to connect them to the abundance flowing in our Country Nigeria through the state and federal governments.
These are facts that are easily verifiable with supporting documents and glowing testimonies over the years running over three decades. His tall and intimidating profile testifies more convincingly that His Excellency Ambassador Sola Iji is the man that the people of Ondo South Senatorial District need now as their Senator to represent them most effectively in the National Assembly.
Aspiring to political leadership positions is a very sensitive issue that our people and all those connected with bringing leaders to office need to take more seriously.
Undoubtedly, His Excellency Ambassador Joseph Olusola Iji is today the most prominent of the all respectable and qualified sons of Ondo South aspiring to fly the APC ticket in the forthcoming Senatorial Election and the most eminently qualified of all the senatorial aspirants in Ondo South Senatorial District, whose contributions in the Senate and the necessary legitimate buttons he will be pressing both inside and outside the National Assembly will be to the tremendous benefit of our people. Indeed Ambassador Iji in the National Assembly will be a blessing to the people of Ondo South Senatorial District and the entire Ondo State.
Besides, as a team player of note, he will work harmoniously with his colleague Senators and House of Representatives members in the National Assembly in the interest of us all to attract tremendous development to Ondo South, Ondo State and the entire South West Region.
An illustrious son of Ondo South, Nigeria’s former ambassador to Togo; ex-Ondo State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, which fused into APC; former chairman Kwara CAN Caretaker Committee; a barrister at Laws, having his Masters of Law in view, Ambassador Iji also holds Masters of Science degree (M.Sc.) in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management; Master of Business and Public Administration (MBPA); B.A English; and IPR Course Certificate in Public Relations.
He is a member each of Nigerian Industrial Relations Association; University of Lagos Alumni Association; Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria; and Nigerian Bar Association; Associate member Nigerian Institute of Management; and that of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK and Nigeria.
He served as Director, Mass Organisations of Hope 93 MKO Abiola for President; Deputy Chief Electoral Officer of Social Democratic Party; Assistant Secretary, NLC/TUC; Secretary National Steering Committee of defunct Nigeria Labour Party; member Swearing-in subcommittee 2015 Presidential Inauguration Committee; chairman Akwa Ibom State Legislative Appeals Committee; Executive Secretary Food, Beverages & Tobacco Senior Staff Association; and Alliance for Democracy candidate into Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency among others.
