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.”
