By Sola Olatunji.
History was made in Okitipupa Local Government area for the first time in several years in the just concluded gubernatorial election.
Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, the governor of Ondo State recorded massive electoral victory in Okitipupa Local government areas, a feat that has never happened in tbe previous two elections participated in by Arakunrin Akeredolu..
You will recall that at different fora, Akeredolu complained bitterly that Okitipupa people have failed to vote for him in two previous elections, therefore this October 10t election results may not be different.
In my view , two major things happened and Akeredolu was rewarded with sweet victory in Okitipupa Local government areas for the first time in many years.
We all know the landmark achievements of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu who hailed from this particular Local government to his people. The people in Okitipupa division have remained loyal to him politically even in the grave until when many of his works that Dr Segun Mimiko (former governor of Ondo State) undermined were woken up by Akeredolu such as Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Olokola Ports projects now Ondo Ports projects and many rural roads projects in Okitipupa division which were hitherto abandoned for 8 years by Mimiko.
By this singular action, Dr Segun Agagu rose from the dead and put electoral smiles on the face of Akeredolu with unprecedented record. .
Added to the above was the introduction of Babajide Sanwo Olu, the Governor of Lagos State into the campaign at Okitipupa rally. We should all understand that the choice of Okitipupa by Babajide Sanwo Olu was not an accident even though he was the Chairman of the campaign council, his decision to attend Okitipupa rally was very symbolic and strategic. He had choices to attend any other rally across tbe 18 Local Government areas but this time, he chose Okitipupa. What encouraged him to attend Okitipupa rally, apart from been the Chairman of APC campaign council was his close affinity with the Ikale people in Lagos under tbe auspices of Ikale Heritage Development Association headed by Otunba Sola A Olatunji which he did not fail to amplify before the royal fathers and at the rally proper. He went on to sing the praises of Agagu family and spoke glowingly of Mrs Solape Hammond Agagu who has been working in different capacities with the state governor since inception as the governor of Lagos State.
Thirdly, for the first time the leaders in this Local government areas under the leadership of Pastor Femi Agagu worked tirelessly to change the electoral misfortune of the past into landslide victory.
Let me celebrate the Agagu family for this victory, our incident commander, Babajide Sanwo Olu whose presence at Okitipupa rally added glamour and entertainment and finally sweet victory to Akeredolu
Finally, our tireless leaders, you worked very hard for this victory.
Congratulations.
- Otunba Sola A Olatunji is Chairman Ikale Heritage Development Association