By Ben Memuletiwon
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, may not have officially declared his aspiration to contest for the gubernatorial race in 2024 during his interdenominational thanksgiving on Tuesday, but his message was unambiguous when he said “It would be breaking news if I said that I’m not contesting. I know that God has many assignments for me on this earth.”
Oke held a Thanksgiving service in Akure, during the week after a fatal auto accident along Ondo-Ore Road, insisting that , he is poised to contest the gubernatorial election in 2024 as he remains the best man for the job.
“I was very close to the mortuary, but God said that was not my portion,” the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said at the Dome in Akure. “Yes, I passed through the shadow of the valley of death, I feared no evil, for God was and still with me, and, continuously, my head shall not lack oil.
“Consequently, for about four months, I was shut out of my delightful law practice and socio-political engagements, but God gave me a second chance of not only enriching the two opportunities for social-political and professional commitments, but an uncommon grace to continue to positively impact humanity.
“I told myself that once I step into Ondo State before doing anything, I must assemble people before God in praising him. God loves me so much and has shown that I have not completed my assignment on this earth. I give honour and glory to God for this. The main assignment I’m yet to complete on earth is service to humanity.
“In my more than six decades of my existence, I have had harrowing experiences that challenged the whole essence of my being, and ruffled my feathers, until the last one that, once again, vigorously tried to shake my faith in God but rather ended up strengthening it, and put my family members and friends on the edge. In it all, God sustained me still.
A chieftain of the APC, and Chairman, Ikale Heritage Development Association, IHDA, Otunba Sola Olatunji simply described the crowd at the Akure Airport and the Dome as unprecedented stressing that though there was no official declaration at the event, it was obvious that Chief Olusola Oke remains the best candidate to take over from Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu’
Olatunji said: “We know that once Chief Olusola Oke enters the race, the political climate of Ondo State will change. We don’t need political glutton in the state any more. We need someone who can fix public roads, community health centres and public school systems. We don’t need someone who will spend hours to project his personal data rather than improve physical development and social well-being of the citizens that constitutes good governance:
“We can boldly beat our chests and say the guber race in Ondo in 2024 will be a one hourse race.”
Also speaking on Oke’s acceptance and popularity in the state, Bashorun Tony Meduoye said party affiliations would be relegated in 2024 as Chief Oke is the choice candidate for all the parties.
“Oke is the candidate of the people of Ondo State,” Meduoye said. “You can see the gathering at the Dome today, all the political parties were represented. Oke remains the man with the Midas touch to fix Ondo State.”
Former Sports Commissioner in the state, Barrister John Ola Mafo added that Chief Olusola Oke’s acceptance by the people of Ondo State crosses all the 18 local government areas.
“Chief Oke obviously has a date with destiny in 2024,” Mafo said. “All the parties are ready to bury their differences and go for a man that can transform the state in no time. God does not make mistakes for sparing Oke’s life from that fatal accident. We are poised to make this dream a reality.”
Other dignitaries who spoke at the Dome include Dr Eddy Eniola Olafeso, Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Pastor Femi Agagu, Chief Gbenga Ale, Chief Lola Fagbemi and Akin Sowore
Others are: Justice Olusegun Odusola, Chief Judge of the state, Senator Boluwaji Kunlere, Baba Olanusi, Oba Jegun of Idepe, Ahaba of Ajagba and Oniju of Iju-Odo.
