2023 Ondo South Senatorial seat: Who wears the cap?
_The exclusive list of 7 bigwigs eyeing the Ondo South Senatorial seat within the APC
… watch out for that of the PDP in the next edition
For sometimes now, Coastal Renaissance Publisher has embarked on systematic and thorough research via extensive consultation with the generality of the public, and now came out with an informed view on this topical issue. That is, the names of the likely leading contenders for the Ondo Southern Senatorial seat comes the 2023 general elections under the platform of the APC.
At the end of the exercise, and making allowance for a certain degree of “speculation error”, we can say also with a reasonable degree of certainty too, that the following 7 prominent citizens of the senatorial zone from such fields of human endeavours are likely to try to throw their caps into the ring.
In life, such values like integrity, compassion, courage, excellence, sacrifice etc are worthy of emulation and their possessions in large dose normally recommends one for exalted position in the society.
In view of the above, our readers will find out that the list on parade here contain the names of some of the finest within the geographical area that constitute the senatorial district under focus here. That is, people whose reputations are beyond reproach and whose hands have not been found tainted.
Those that make the said list of the men of honour are:
*1. MATHEW OYE OYERINMADE (MATO)*
Mathew Oye Oyerinmade
Mathew Oye Oyerinmade, popularly called MATO, a Soccer Ambassador was born on 27th May, 1967 in Okeigbo community, Ileoluji-Okeigbo Local Government area of Ondo State.
He attended St. John’s Primary School, Okeigbo in Ileoluji-Okeigbo Local Government area of Ondo State. He proceeded to Oloroke Grammar School, Okeigbo and obtained O’Level Certificate. In 1990, he was admitted to Ondo State University now Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti to study Social Studies Education and graduated in 1995.
He did his NYSC in Rivers State with the Shell Petroleum Development Company where he was exposed to the occupational demands of the oil and gas business and community relation responsibilities.
He went for his PGD at Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. He also acquired his Master’s degree in Business Administration at the same university
He is a member of three professional bodies: Nigeria Institute of Management, Institute of Development Association of Nigeria and Nigeria Institute of Strategic Management.
As a member of APC in Ondo State, the fact remains that restoration of the APC in Ondo South is his prerogative. His moral background of humility and generosity has really showcased and given him wider acceptablity within and outside the APC. He has affected so many lives positively, he has also refurbished all the six local government party secretariats in the Southern Senatorial District and equipped them to a modern outlook.
He believes that a good leader must be responsible to the party members. In his usual word, he said, “responsibility without ability is equal to liability, but responsibility with ability will make someone to do exploits”. MATO doesn’t believe in title but mantle, he doesn’t believe in grade but grace which is the ultimate favour from God Almighty.
Majority of the people from each local government of the senatorial district have described him as the leading aspirant for the Ondo South senatorial seat in the forthcoming 2023 general elections while majority of the leaders, elders, youths and women have keened into his project because they described his as a man who does not believe in what he gets from people but what he gives. He also said to believe in every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched or empowered or encouraged others to follow and believe in you.
The people have seen him to be trustworthy, faithful, respectful compassionate who can be given the mandate of the South Senatorial.
*2. JOSEPH OLUSOLA IJI*
Ambassador Joseph Olusola Iji, a Politician, Trade Unionist and the Ambassador, Embassy of The Federal Republic of Nigeria to The Republic of Togo, who hails from Barate Quarters of Igbobini in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, was born on 7th November, 1956.
Iji is said to be popular only among Apoi people and that even the Ijaw axis of his own local government doesn’t believe in his leadership style.
The people opined that despite the fact that Sola Iji was former Chairman of the defunct Action Congress (AC) and current Ambassador, yet he does not invest in the party neither does he help the party members ever since he has been benefiting from the party. They cited the APC party secretariat in his ward as a case study. They said, the party secretariat is in sorry state which demand urgent attention but refuses to give it a befitting outlook. They stressed that, that alone has made his people to desert him.
Moreover, they opined that the present Deputy Governor of Ondo State and Senate cannot come from the same Federal Constituecy being the only two principal elective positions from the South coupled with the fact that they need a more vibrant person or politician who will not be sleeping at the RED CHAMBER when plenary is ongoing.
The people said he’s presently banking on the influence of some APC leaders outside Ondo State which he believes will impose him on the people while the people noted however that APC leaders do not encourage imposition in the party again and that the leadership of the party has vowed to maintain the integrity and dignity of the party which call for democratic process.
Coastal Renaissance learnt that the leadership stride of Sola Iji seemed to be at stake when he was appointed Ambassador. The people believed that he did not leave to expectations, reason why people do not really support his Senatorial ambition.
*3. BOYE OYEWUMI*
Boye Oyewumi is the CEO, Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), Nigeria, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Development and Investment.
He is an alumnus of the prestigious University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, where be obtained a bachelor’s degree and holds an MBA Business Administration from Middlesex University, UK.
Boye oversees all aspects of Investments and Development for the Government of Ondo State, Nigeria. He is the Pioneer CEO and Vice-Chairman of the Board of ONDIPA, the State’s investment, development, and promotions agency, which seeks investments to Ondo State through Greenfield, Brownfield, Public-Private Partnerships of State-owned assets and concessions.
Coastal Renaissance learnt that majority of the people do not waste their time with him because they believe that his political relevance in Ondo South is not prominent and that he name is not famous and pronounced among notable politicians in Ondo South.
According to them, “Oyewunmi has never been friendly with his people neither does he extend hands of fellowship or generousity to his people. He is being overwhelmed with spirit of egoism and egotism”.
Meanwhile, they acknowledged his intellectual sagacity and vibrancy but however described his senatorial ambition as a dead on arrival due to his egocentric attitude and approach to issues.
*4. D.I. KEKEMEKE*
D. I. Kekemeke was born on July 2nd, 1963 in Agadagba-Obon in Ese-Odo Local Government area of Ondo State, Nigeria. He undertook his elementary and primary education between 1967 and 1975 in many schools in Ogun and Ondo states, moving whenever his teacher-father was moved. He was at the Stella Maris College, Okitipupa, Ondo State, between 1976 and 1981 for his Secondary school education.
Kekemeke bagged a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1988 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. He bagged a Master of Laws degree from the same Obafemi Awolowo University in 2006 and is due to bag a P.hD in Law from the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti any moment.
As a former state chairman of APC, Coastal Renaissance believes that his aspiration should pull more weight but seems not to attract people’s interest and as a matter of fact, people are less moved by his ambition because they believe that he’s from the same Federal Constitiency with the present Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
The people said in clear language that the Ondo State Deputy Governor and Senat cannot come from the same Federal Constitiency.
*5. MORAYO LEBI*
Barr. Morayo Lebi, a Lawyer from Akotogbo Community in Irele Council Area of Ondo State.
He attended Igbobi College, Yaba and University of Lagos, where he bagged his LL. B degree in Law and then went to Nigeria Law School, Lagos, where he obtained B L in postgraduate degree in Law and he was subsequently called to Nigeria Bar.
He was the Ondo South Senatorial candidate for All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 but lost in the general elections. Coastal Renaissance learnt that Lebi deserted the party and his followers and went back to Lagos after he had lost the general elections, reason why people couldn’t follow him again when he came back in 2019 to contest same senatorial seat. As if that was not enough, after the 2019 general elections, we learnt that they couldn’t see his break light again until recently when he came to join the race for the forthcoming 2023 election.
Therefore, the people and party members believe that it is his routine to come and disappear after the election, and so, many people feel reluctant to follow him again and also, do not see him to be more serious with his aspiration. They believe, he will come and go.
*6. JIMOH IBRAHIM*
Jimoh Ibrahim was born on 24th February, 1967, started schooling at Igbotako and finished his secondary school at Saint John’s School before proceeding to bag his Law degree and Masters in Public Administration (MPA) at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State. He then headed for Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA for a combined Master of Laws & International Taxation (LLM/IT). He is An astute investor with interests in the oil and gas, hospitality, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance, publishing and the media industry but recently found himself faced with a series of controversies, recently had a bulk of his assets seized by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) over a N69.4 billion debt.
Though his assets are said to run into millions of dollars, everyone is looking to see how the 53-year-old businessman will pull through this major dip.
Coastal Renaissance learnt that Jimoh may not have financial capability to continue his aspiration in a grand style and that he’s not generous enough towards his people and that he does not have the required temperament to cope with legislative matters noting that it is more advisable for him to contest the next Governor rather than the Senate.
*7. MAYOWA AKINFOLARIN*
Mayowa Akinfolarin is an indigene of Odigbo town in Odigbo Local Government area of Ondo State, born in 1963.
He attended Isero Grammar School where he obtained West Africa School Certificate in 1981. He proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a degree in Sociology in 1990.
He was elected member Ondo State House of Assembly between 2003 and 2011. While at the State Assembly, he was Deputy Speaker, currently, Mayowa Akinfolarin is a member House of Representatives representing Ileoluji-Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency, who was elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but later decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Coastal Renaissance learnt that Mayowa Akinfolarin initially shown interest for the senatorial seat but seems not to continue his field work because of the negative reactions of the people towards his person. The people said they have severally given him the opportunity to lead the people by giving him both the state and federal legislative mandates but however disappoint the people at all levels.
The people said the last meeting he called was ignored and not well attended by prominent party members in the senatorial district, above all, they described him to be a penny-pinching in spending.
